Morning all.
Happy Birthday to Calum Chambers, he’s the ripe old age of 20 today and talking of young ex Southampton players, on this day back in 2006, Arsene Wenger signed Theo Walcott.
See, he does do winter signings!
Gossip:
The Mirror report that Winston Reid wants a move, and if Arsenal make an offer, he’ll do all he can to force that move through. He’s recently been dropped from the West Ham side, Sam is after another defender and I still think they’ll accept a sensible offer before this month is over. Letting Reid leave for free in the summer would be crazy when they could get around £4-5 million now. Just got to hope Wenger goes for him.
There’s also a story suggesting Joel Campbell’s future will be decided by tomorrow as David Moyes hopes to get him on a loan deal but having already allowed two forwards to depart, losing another who is hard working, would seem bizarre. Unless of course the story in Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport about Arsenal officials meeting up with Mattia Destro’s representative Claudio Vigorelli in London later today is true.
Another who could be on his way out of the club is young Semi Ajayi. He’s having a trial at Sunderland according to Sky Sports and finally, Polish goalkeeping legend Jan Tomaszewski thinks Wojciech Szczesny won’t play another game for Arsenal this season, and believes he should look for a loan move away from the Emirates.
Rumours, darn rumours……
Back to the City game..
One thing is for sure, just like the FA Cup victory back in May, a lot of the media focus on our poor performances against clubs ahead of us in the league, will hopefully disappear. We had the ‘haven’t won a trophy for……. years for far too long and more recently, they have enjoyed banging the ‘Arsenal can’t beat the likes of City, Utd or Chelsea at home, let alone away’ drum… Mind you, haven’t we all.
Well, both of those labels and headlines can go and drown themselves for good but it can’t stop there, certainly not the winning away from home that’s for sure. We still have a few big away trips to make with Tottenham next month and Utd in May being possibly the toughest but now we have seen how organised and disciplined we can be, we have to carry that on and improve.
But to improve, we need more reinforcements added to our squad and there’s only a couple of weeks left for Arsene Wenger to make sure we get them. An injury to Koscielny or even Coquelin, (based on Sundays and Stoke performance) Bellerin, Santi etc, could see us return to being in a sorry state of affairs.
The win over City was superb but the manager can’t sit back and pat himself on the back for too long, no more than the players can because one great performance doesn’t make things rosy again. Sustain that kind of disciplined and organised performance for the rest of the season and we’ll all start to believe a little more. Perhaps I’ll even come out from behind the sofa when we are 2-0 up with ten minutes to go!
We still need a central defender signed, just as we still need a holding midfielder because that starting eleven can’t play like that for the remainder of the season because their bodies won’t allow it, especially once we return to the Champions League fixtures and hopefully progress further in the FA Cup.
Arsene simply has to add a couple of players to allow rotation without weakening the side but having seen that performance on Sunday afternoon, he might just be tempted not to.
And that would be a disaster.
That’s it for today, have a good one all….
Nice post, always saving me from reading the papers 😉 Personally Im not in for Reid (and I should be with some Kiwi blood!). Whilst a reasonable defender, he is not top class and has a passing success rate of 75-78% in recent seasons. In a passing oriented team like Arsenal that is a liability. I am in for someone at CB though! Gabriel Paulista, Howedes, Hummels? Ah noone wants to sell good players in January… Remember, we sign them and we are stuck with them for a few seasons, and then we’ll all be on here banging on about useless Wenger if they become deadwood…
As for DM isnt going to happen in winter. I still thing Schneiderlin is a reasonable bet for summer but Southampton wont sell for any amount of money while they are in the hunt for the CL. Fact. Again the best players who we all want wont be going anywhere.
I hope at the very least we get a CB loan deal. We will need that for our run in to the CL final 😉
Thanks Roger. From what I have seen of Reid, I really like him. I still think we’d soon need another CB in any case as Merts is ageing.
Not keen on Hummels, Paulista would need a visa and we never get those granted but Howedes, now your talking… 😉
Not keen on mats hummels? Rico are you alright maam?? I ll take hummels with my eyes closed. Anyway good morning HH and a happy new year to all. Good to be back. What did I miss 😀 :
I’m fine thank you Goonie, HNY to you too….
Am fabulous maam fabulous. The win over the weekend just made my week. I ve been smiling all through. Pretty sure I freaked some people out. What a perfomance from the lads. Let’s build on this and who knows maybe a maiden champions League victory…hey a guy can dream no? Lol
It sure was good Goonster, long may it continue…
How is everyone? Brudders lee adam kev dev ts bt potter and my crazy Irish friend micko?? I miss everybody 😀 :
Morning all.
Watch this……..listen out for the name 🙂
My boy.
http://youtu.be/5ZJqrlCBoxM
I agree Rico, losing three forwards in one window would seem bizarre, but perhaps not at a club that sold three central defenders in the summer.
Howdy scotty oz…what’s going on fella? Is that Sean? ? Really? What a talent you have on your hands.
Al are fine Goonster, they’ll be around somewhere… lol
🙂 Scott…
Steve, anything is possible eh…. Especially when it comes to us..
Lol…
😀 :
I don’t remember Sol, Tony or Martin being great passers of the ball.
Surely we learnt on Sunday that we don’t need eleven Messi’s to win a football match.
It’s frustrating that Wenger will fanny around all January trying to save the odd half a million here and there and almost certainly miss out on the player he needs. Yet in the summer he was happy to splash £16m on Chambers – a living proof of the saying ” jack of all trades, master of none”.
Remember Reid will never be a “free” transfer. Whoever signs him, if it’s a Bosman in the summer, will have to pay a fee to the player and depending on how many clubs are after him it could be a lot more than £3m or £4m West Ham might get now.
HNY GOOOOONIE!!!
Scott was that DB10’s maiden run,what price was he?
Rico,good post, it’s crowed behind the sofa…..
Morning all…..
I still think we’ll get Reid Steve, AW is just waiting.. Also, perhaps once Sam gets his replacement sorted, we’ll get Reid.
Thanks Bt, I saw you there during the City game… 😉
Hiya bt what’s cracking my man? ? Still chuffed huh?? Me too 😀 :
Meant “crowded”
Hi guys…good to see ya back, Stan 🙂
DeeeBee Ten has now had 4 starts for 1 win and two seconds, but that was his first win a few hours ago.
His kennel name is Dwnnis of course, and he’s a good little dog who’ll give us plenty of fun in the next year or two.
BT, he paid $4.10 or app. 3 to 1 which was great odds 🙂
Reid will be ours, I feel.
It all works……..Wenger, sing da ting 🙂
Hi, Goonie, all good mate, are you still in Holland or back in the U.S.A?
Hope you and Brianna had a good one….
Rico, i thought i saw a blondie in the crowd….
Scott, 3-1 not to shabby odds….
Add this one to the list of rumours.
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/553073/Arsenal-Joao-Pereira-Jose-Luis-Gaya-transfer-news
Goonie, I will take Ronald Koeman with my eyes closed byt you knew taht already.. lol
Afternon all btw..
Good read Rico..
I am not reading much into Destro’s rumours as he is neither creative or clinical enough… ok at 23 y.o 1 goal in just over 3 games is not too bad at all but he has personality issues and so…
Moreover, Rudi G. won’t sell to us imo…
Lol morning ts…Koeman ll be found out soon. Mark my words. He ll be in for a rude awakening next season. Morgan and yamayama ll be gone then 😀 : I hope he drags them down. What a tool.
Bt am bald now. I shaved off my hair. Wanna look like a redneck so bad. Lol. Yeah am back in North Carolina. Had a wonderful time with mama in Arnhem.
Not me then Bt… 😉
Thanks Ts, and he’s very expensive… 😉
Goonie, toyed with the idea of a bit of a trim for a while now, but the weather has put pay to that..starting to look like a 70’s drop out…lol
Good afternoon Shrimps and cocktails.
Surely if AW has to buy a multipurpose defender who can play across all positions at the back its Howedes. Yes he is more specialised as a CB but can play both FB positions as well.
Good post Rico.
I agree, Wenger needs to get moving on the transfer side of things.
Good solid performance al round against City, but as you say Rico one good performance does not make for a successful season.
Good to see Wenger giving Ospina a run. Czesny needs competition, and does not have a devine
right to think that he just needs to turn up….
Love this….
Thanks Marinello. A repeat at Utd and WHL would be ideal, leave the fancy stuff for the Emirates… 😉
My son had this sentence for HW…..My aunt has four sons and my aunt has four daughters.
He was asked to remove anything which was unnecessary and then write it correctly.
His answer….My aunt has four sons.
When I asked why he wrote it that way he answered that he removed everything which was unnecessary
Boo, hello all!!
Two days later, I’m still smiling. 🙂
rico, how far has Theo come again in 9 years? 😛 Not very far, eh? 😛 I am kidding, I am kidding. But he really is a bit of a crock, sadly. 🙁
Goonie!! How are you and Brianna? And why on earth would you want to look like a redneck?? Why?
Dev, the little prince got his cheekiness from you, it’s apparent. 😉
And will that Xivi just please shut up about Santi??
haha ………honestly I did not expect it from him.
Ajayi will be released it seems.
Another name on AW shopping list seems to be Monaco’s Alassane DIABY.
That surname sends shivers down my spine.
Citeh fans singing “you’re just a shit David Silva!” when Santi was on the ball in the first half….. now that’s piss funny!
Dev, if you give him a baby sis, he will recast that sentence. 😛 😛
No Diaby, no more, never again. Ick.
Hello Stan!
Hiya, Lee!! Santi must have heard that, and boom!!!
Hammers are prepared to pay 6m for Jenkinson at the end of the season, apparently…
A fee is paid when a player is under the age of 23 after that it’s a bosman! I like Reid and I think after he was dropped to the bench at the weekend and talk Sams talk of him not wanting to be at the club and he’ll be cheap (Wenger loves that) I’d be shocked if we went out and paid 15 Mill for Garbiel but stranger things have happened… I think in the summer we’ll sign Lars Bender or Morgan (whatever his surname is) and we’ll muddle along with couq (he’s playing great as well) then there’s Bielk who’s supposed to be the best DM for his age… Arteta, Flamini, Diaby won’t be seeing new contracts this summer… Rosicky will so we have 3 squad places. Pod will be gone, Yaya I doubt will be back unless he causes havoc for CP Wenger has sent him out to prove himself and he’ll only do that with goals… so the core of the squad would be settled for next year 2 CB’s 1 DM
Evening all..
Agag, about ten steps backwards… 😉
Arsenal fan Alex Witsel now says he likes Utd! Make your mind up…..
Bt, if AW wants Reid, surely there’s a deal to be done if Jenks doesn’t have a future with us….
Alex Witsel is a brutalitarian who committed one of the worst tackles ever seen on a football pitch and was punished suitably for it. I, for one, would hate to see that man ever wear an Arsenal shirt.
Welcome Stekelly..
I didn’t know that about Witsel Adam.
Rico. Look it up but avoid the video. 🙂
Adam, I like a good video 😉
Something going on with West ham , Gold says he wants £8 million for Reid we have valued Jenks at £12. Cut the fees in half and it will go through.
Exactly Potter…
Adam, that was a long time ago, perhaps he’s changed. Was it a one off…?
8mill for Reid??? Gold must be having a larf Potter. He knows that on the 31st Jan he will be only worth 3 or 4 mill at the most. Jenks will still be worth 12mill at the end of the season. So if Jenks has no future at AFC then I say this January AFC should sell Jenks for Reid and 6 million. Reasonable imo.
Then again I would like Jenks to stay.
I see Barcelona are up the their old tricks Xavi Wants them to buy Carzola.
It’s a shame they are banned from buying players till 2016 because they were found guilty of i want to say child trafficking better not so it was something similar.;)
I’d rather he stayed too Devil.
😉
Rico. No, he did the same thing to me last week in Tescos.
🙂 Adam..
Rico, agree, if AW wants Reid you’d think they could come to some agreement. What i read suggested AW valued him at 12m (as Dev mentioned), though stated business could happen at 6-8m…..
🙂 Joe
Sorry, evening all.
You’d have thought so Bt, but we are talking Arsene…. Lol
So true Rico….lol
Small survey, Apple iphone or Samsung all views appreciated…
Samsung for me. Wish I’d never bought an iPhone..
Sony Z3 I love mine and it’s water proof
Mines Z1 will upgrade to the Z3 in a couple of months
Handy in the rain Joe. lol
Morning all.
IPhone 6 is brilliant 🙂
And in the shower….
Get you Mr Uptodate 😉
Maybe a tablet is better Bt, of soap lol
If you want a proper Smart phone get a CAT. Heavy duty, great reception, a 10megapixel camera and endless storage. plus its user friendly
Scott, not an option. can’t get it for nowt……lol
Do you folks know how many phones end up in the toilet
Dev, just checked it out, it says it has wet finger tracking……lol
Never heard of it here in the UK Devil..
Joe, are you taking the pee? ….. Lol
Rico, which Samsung are you using?
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/27/caterpillar-cat-b15-rugged-smartphone-hands-on/
I posted a link for it mates.
I own one…..and I am pleased as punch with it.
Bt, I have the iPhone 5s but wish I’d stuck to Samsung…
Rico, that’s the choice for me at the moment 5s or Samsung S5.
What’s your gripe with the IPhone?
Bt – All too complicated for me and downloading photos onto my laptop is something I really struggle to do. It’s prob just me rather than the phone. just think it’s all overpriced and overrated for those who aren’t too switched on with phones….
I’ll never get another… Lol
Rico, interesting, i read something about downloading photos…..
what Sammy had you previously?
Don’t just listen to me though Bt, Lee, Adam, Kev and Wath all love them I think.
Samsung 4 I think it was, loved it and that’s prob because I’d got my head around their phones.. Well, a bit lol
Evening All
Evening Rico
Agag, had a great time in Westfield, Stratford. You would have loved it.
Great shops and even better sales. 🙂
Rico, i’ll listen to all before i decide, i’ve been using samsung for years but sort of lost interest in the advancement of phones, a few years back…
Evening Kev… You been shopping… lol
Bt, it’s probably best that you ignore my view, I’m stuck in the past…. Lol
Know what you mean rico, these under water phones are over-rated if you ask me ! No offence Joe.
All views and personal experiences are welcome…
Full of bubbles Micko…
I’m off for the day guys, catch up tomorrow sometime…
Nighty all…..
Nite rico, ” big away trip to tottenham next month”……..pure genius !!!
Micko, did you say you were going to QPR away?
Hi Bt, that’s the plan, just waiting on the tickets, won’t know for a couple of weeks yet, don’t worry I’ll sort you out with a programme if it all comes to fruition !
Lol, just wondering how you managed tickets or is it similar to Fulham?
Lot to said for a phone you can pick out of the toilet wash it and keep using it as for using it under water seems to work for fish.
Micko are you in the away end with normal folk.
Bt, my cousin is an away season ticket holder, has been since the world dot, quietly confident he’ll do the business for me, sorted me out with a couple of tickets at the shit-hole a few years back !!! 1 all that day, eboue was in his element !
Lol Joe, hope you washed your hands first !
Joe, don’t know if you’ve ever been down Sheperds Bush on a match day…….the long queue is for the chip shop and the short queue is to get into the ground !
Always, twice i’av taken chips in to that stadium I thought it was a park.
QPR haven’t got a lot to shout about but their supporters will tell ya they’re the only club in London with a West London postcode W12, guess it’s their way of sticking two fingers up at the Chav’s.
Nite Gooners.
Morning guys.
The rumour mill is having a blast right now.
Morning Scott and all…
I can’t keep up with them Scott… 😉
Hiya. Rico, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you Scott, darn Facebook!!!! 😉
21 again 😉 happy birthday
Thanks Joe, 22 actually… lol
Happy birthday to you,happy birthday to you. you were born at the…..
Happy BIRTHDAY…RICO!!!!
Morning yawl…
🙂 Bt – thanks…
Cava se noche? Happy Birthday is it ?
Hahahahahahahahaha
Cava se noche? What is that Potter?
Thank you….
Scott, I just knew you would… 😉
Happy Birthday Rico. 🙂
Thank you Adam. I have a new Arsenal scarf! 🙂
What could be a better or more suitable present on such an auspicious day?
A signing Adam… 😉
Now, now, let’s not go over the top. 🙂
21 today, 21 today,
She’s got the key to the door,
Never been 21 before.
Happy Birthday Rico 🙂
Just watchng the replay of Citeh game…….we were terrific.
A repeat for the next few months would be nice.
Se noche = Tonight.
Get your Cava and freeze down in freezer for 1 hour,nice and cold Take 10 strawberries and quarter them put 12 quarters to one side , then crush the rest and some mint leaves and mix together . Take Champagne flutes , add some pulp and pour cava on top when bubbles have gone down fill up the glass and leave enough room for a couple of quarters ,add a little Sherry to taste and there you have it. Some toast with squashed tomato and garlic mix ,sit in front of a log fire and you have a Catalan winter starter……………………………………….. Enjoy.
🙂 Adam, ok, I’ll calm down….
Thanks Kev 🙂
Or, crack a beer open 🙂
Amen to that Scott….
Thanks Potter – the toast, garlic and tomato I love so very much but I think I’ll stick to Estrella tonight, I’d be tiddled otherwise…. 😉
Fire up the sparklers, one for each year!!!!….lol
🙂 Scott..
New post up now….
They only come in a box of 12 Bt… 😉
I recommend a cup of Matcha tea and a slice of carrot cake. Alternatively, a glass of Chateau D’Yquem and a fresh, ripe peach. The breakfast of champions. Brudder Lee swears by it.
Estrella Dorada ? That’s Catalan too . The brewery is on the outskirts of Barcelona Airport . Always puts me in the mood when I drive past it on my way to my local.