Diaby shock! Second signing expected today but Sami Khedira starting to look unlikely…..

Morning all.

Are our eyes deceiving us??
Are our eyes deceiving us??

That’s a bit of a shock. Not only was Abou Diaby fit at the end of last season, he’s still fit. Not only is he fit, he’s training.

Great stuff I say!!

Not for one minute am I suggesting that he’s the answer to all our midfield prayers, I’d have to be a fool to think that but come on, a fit Abou Diaby can only be a bonus for Arsenal FC. He has one year left on his contract and if we get a good season from him, then that can only be to our advantage.

Just as long as his temporary fitness doesn’t prevent Arsene Wenger from addressing our midfield needs….

Just like Jack and Theo, Abou needs a season full of fitness and good performances. Sadly, I’m not overly optimistic though but you just never know, stranger things have happened. Knowing our luck, he’ll have a great season and then leave for free next summer..

Back to this summer and the Khedira saga. Press reports now suggest he wants £180k a week. Well that just isn’t going to happen, not at Arsenal and rightly so imo. He’s 27 years old, has not long recovered from a nasty injury and expecting a club to pay such a high wage is ridiculous. I strongly suspect he’ll get something near to that figure though should he join Chelsea and if only money drives him, then sometimes we have to accept losing out to another club.

It’ll be a great shame though as the poison dwarf would win again and that in my opinion is the only reason he wants to sign Khedira, just to get one over Arsene Wenger…

But if the player drops his reported wage demands and Arsenal manage to pull this deal off, then it’s Arsenal who will get another one over the under tall one and wouldn’t that be special!!

Finally, many reports suggest Mathieu Debuchy will finally become an Arsenal player today..

About time too…..

Go Dickie, Go Ivan…….

Have a good day all……..

 

321 thoughts on “Diaby shock! Second signing expected today but Sami Khedira starting to look unlikely…..

  1. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Deep down I feel that Khedira wants to come to AFC. He knows the lads from the German camp, he knows how AW prefers to play, and he knows that at the end of the day he will not be knifed in the back by the bilious narrow minded midget swine at the Chav classless FC.

    However his agent is trying to use the interest from them to increase his wage……….and his commission as well.

  2. babakrdaemi says:

    Once wages become a sticking point there is only one club he should and could go to. Good luck with the Chavs Khedira.

    I hope we sign Bender or Schneiderlin. I think they are both more suitable for a DM for than Khedira, who if I am not mistaken would be more competition for Ramsey and Wilshere. Especially Wilshere.

    If we did sign Khedira then Arsene wouldn’t be using a traditional DM I guess? I don’t know about the positions of players unless they play for Arsenal.

    All I will say is, that I want a DM. A solid ball winning, defence first DM. I don’t care how big he is, of course a strong player would be better for teams like Chavski et al. However, as long as we have a player in midfield who primarily concerns himself with defence we are better off than last year.

    COME ON THE GUNNERS

  3. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Any where I see the word Debuchy again will make me stop reading…unless it’s with him in Arsenal colours! Just had enough!

  4. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Devil’s 10:34 am post covers my thoughts on the Khedira situation. If he comes – great; if he doesn’t, I wont be broken hearted. There are other good, maybe better, candidates.

  5. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I woke up this morning, thinking maybe we’re going back to character…

    Wenger, having signed Sanchez, gets back to pre-season, looks at his squad in training, smiles that he has a ‘fantastic’ squad, believing Diaby’s injury demon has finally been exorcised…

    Then announces Debuchy, manages to bring in Ospina, closes this summer’s books and sends us on a merry-go-round with the mischievous press ever a willing ally in mind-blowing speculations.

    And that means struggling to make top 4 yet again!

  6. Gonerjoe says:

    As the resident Diaby supporter it’s great to see his in good shape and he finished last season able to play and looks like he will play on Saturday.
    But even I wouldn’t tell Rico I told you so just yet 🙂

  7. Udeh Victor (@Noble_Great) says:

    Am accepting Debuchy to sign for arsenal today………. And I want bender and Jackson to be in arsenal team this season……

  8. rico says:

    Baba, I see Khedira to be the player who will help Ramsey get rest and rotation as we all know what happened last season when he didn’t get a rest…

  9. Joywedsjeff says:

    Morning all…
    Diaby will be the joker this season if he plays twice a month.
    Dortmund has signed Ginter and Madrid has got Kroos and Navas. DIego Lopez and Khedira up for sale…

  10. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Rico, did you see the wide, relaxed smile on AW’s face yesterday in training? He didn’t seem worried one bit…looked like the face of a man who feels he’s happy with what he’s done…and what has he done so far? Sanchez! And he seems done!

  11. Scott From Oz says:

    Morning all.
    A little bit if good news hit me…..
    When in North London, I had the privilege of meetlng David Rocastles sister, Karen.
    Well, we had a picture taken alongside another mate, and it will soon be hung on the wall of the Gillespie Rd Supporters club alongside the great mans picture.
    Thrilled doesn’t describe the feeling.

  12. Scott From Oz says:

    Tai, well considering people were complaining that Wenger was playing beach football when that deal was done, why worry 🙂

  13. Nickie says:

    I wonder what song Sanchez and Debuchy will sing to integrate them into the group lol

    I thought Madrid were looking to out Casillas Joy, not Lopez?

    Tai, remain positive! Who knows what that grin is hiding

  14. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I’ve given up on Khedira and urge dear Gunners, for their good health, to do so early enough and save the coming heartbreak!

  15. Gonerjoe says:

    Going to watch the first few overs of the cricket than have some work to do in the garden to get it ready for a BBQ on Sunday daughters 25.
    Everyone is invited

  16. rico says:

    Tai, I think he looks like the kind of man who knows that someone else is doing all the transfer donkey work and he can concentrate on working with the players…

    Just as it should be….

  17. rogerbij says:

    Baba, I like your style! Random thought, City are rumoured to consider selling Negrado… An option to support the Gunners strike force? Powerful, premierleague proven… I would still go for Remy as the affordable but good option, but hey..

  18. arsenalman says:

    Remember Matagate. The great Juan Mata dither. Well this Khediragate. A new dither. He hasn’t even been approached yet, we find out. Sanchez, a replacement goalie, replacement fullback and that’s it boys. Back to the great dither.

  19. Gab says:

    Abu. Diaby has failed in the past years, last two season is just the same. Always at the start of the new season he is ok. But whenever the transfers finishes he go back to the whole season off. We have had enough of this. The second week he wil still go off. Total replacements.

  20. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning all, nice short post Rico, not so sure about Sami, at 180k no chance. Diaby played over here, mates saw him, declared he was the next PV, he signed for Afc that summer. Very talented and very fragile, f**k you Dan Smith. Gj what time is the BBQ? lol

  21. Joywedsjeff says:

    Nickie…Cas is a club icon and still a fan favorite. Don’t think the board want another Ozil saga. On the other hand, the fans have never really warmed to Lopez so selling him for cheap will sit well with the fans compared to selling casillas for cheap. It’s all speculation at this stage but there are strong rumours in spain that Lopez wants out. Something about not being appreciated and wanting champions league footie.

  22. Gab says:

    Pls wenger and the board pay the asking money and get this deal done in three days. If mourinho wins again it will be a slap on arsenal’s face . He did it last season when are about to sign ETO, he make a call evertin changes. He did it to fabergas this season. Fabergas choses chelsea because of personal terms. Wenger pls enough is enough with mourinho.

  23. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – What’s next, knighted by the Queen, rise Sir Digger of Mud Hut? Good on you mate.

    Now if you can get Sean’s picture on the website and name on the team sheet.

  24. frednerk says:

    Sammy wants to play for us,he wants to play with Ozil his best mate,
    the chavs are gate crashing and offering to pay him more,his agent has opened his gob,thats why his back tracking.
    Wenger always walks away when the chavs join in,so this will be a landmark if we pull this one off.

  25. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Fred, forget it…Khedira is not coming to Arsenal…not now, not ever…it’s another Draxler!

  26. Nickie says:

    Let’s not get caught up on Khedira, Great player yes. Are there others out there like him? Yes. Do we have other targets? Yes. Stop dampening the HH Camp mood lol 😉

  27. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Did anyone else read, that under our new Puma deal, there will be 3 new AFC kits released each season?

  28. silentstan says:

    @ Arsenalman. idiot. slagging wenger coz he has ‘only’ signed sanchez! with debuchy this week and keeper lined up. god some bloody people

  29. rico says:

    Exactly Nickie 🙂

    HH is positive at the moment and I hope it stays that way, well, at least until the middle of August… 😉

  30. Scott From Oz says:

    Yes, I’m not sure why anyone would be complaining ATM about our transfer window which is barely weeks old.
    Then again, it’s not likew Eve signed anyone decent, is it 🙂

  31. Nickie says:

    Calling Arsenalman an idiot is unnecessary.

    I have to ask were we ever in for Khedira Arsenalman? I’m sure Arsenal have their targets. We are 2 weeks into the official transfer window lol. Seems the taste of Ozil and Sanchez has got us greedy for “big names”. It’s the quality we get in that matters.

  32. Nickie says:

    That’s right Rico…Positive right up until we get smashed 6-0 by City in the CS and Sanchez hands in a transfer request haha

  33. rico says:

    silentstan, HH rules if you please!! No name calling on here, you should know that by now. Every fan is entitled to his/her view!

  34. magnetben says:

    Hi everyone,

    I don’t know where all this talk for weeks about Bender comes from. The guy is not going to leave Leverkusen this season. He signed under no preasure at all a new contract just a couple of months ago till 2019. He clearly said he doesn’t want to leave Leverkusen and the club is not willing to let him go. They wan’t him in the long term as a replacement for their captain Rolfes.

  35. Nickie says:

    I’m with you Mag…

    I believe Bender is just regurgitated. Like you say he’s said he doesn’t want to leave. Whenever I see Arsenal target Bender I don’t even bother to read the article. I don’t think we are after him

  36. Canadian Gooner says:

    Nickie – The whole Khedira saga is sounding more and more like a smokescreen negotiating ploy by his agent. The old ‘there are other clubs interested in signing my client’ routine. He would be a great signing, but there are other fish in the sea.

  37. Nickie says:

    Definitely CG…Like I said, positive that we are looking to address that area of the field. Looks like we are going to be pretty topped up in that area.

  38. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – A real Gooner couldn’t do much better than being associated with David Rocastle.

    That reminds me, I haven’t seen Rocky in the House for a long long time. Anyone know why?

  39. Gonerjoe says:

    It’s a very nice day in Wicklow blue skies and warm it’s to warm to work in the garden. 🙂
    Bt62 that sounds like a good mixture to blow your head and produce a fine hangover.
    Wife’s a big fan of the strawberry dac

  40. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Sir Digger of the Mud hut???

    I’ll just go and check Wikipedia for it.

    Didn’t know King Arthur had a Sir Digger.

  41. Scott From Oz says:

    Lol Devil.
    CG, It was a special day, meeting Karen.
    Then seeing 70 year old Gooners talking to her at the Supporters club and walk away crying……..it was a Beautiful moment.
    That’s when plenty about Arsenal and it’s true supporters hit home.

  42. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I do not need to talk with anyone about DR07 to have tears in my eyes mate. I just need to think of him.

    We were both born in the same month of May.
    We are the same age.
    We both shared the same number.
    We both played in the same position.

    Need to say he was one of my greatest favourites?

  43. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Thank you. Rocky was a long time regular and I’ve missed his quiet good humour.

  44. Canadian Gooner says:

    Nickie – It would be good to get a young mobile DM in for the new season so we could ease and integrate him into the squad, but if all/most of our midfielders stay fit this season we could manage.

    Also, we still have six weeks and it could be another Debuchy/Newcastle situation, where the selling club want to have a replacement in hand before releasing a player to Arsenal.

  45. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Who doesn’t want to stay positive?

    Following Arsenal means understanding Wenger…understanding Wenger means reading his mind at all times.

    1. Le Prof has never been a fan of marque signings…always preferred to unearth either an unknown quantity and make him or a presumed fading quantity and revive him…

    2. He never believes a club should make more than three changes to their starting line up from last season or shift the technical balance of the side.

    3. He has never believed in the type of DM almost every other Arsenal fan wishes. Vieira was a lottery …the only person who mixed solid physical ability with superb technical acumen.

    4. All Wenger signings usually are technically sound. Physicality is usually secondary, if not tertiary.

    Now, other clubs/managers have caught up with Wenger’s astuteness…instead of hiring scouts, they only hired paparazzi to sniff around Wenger. Once he visits any hotel, they go for the nearest club, make a good guess of who looked like Arsenal signing and go to town…in few cases, they guessed right and these clubs quickly snapped up the players in question – give it to Wenger, he has eagle eyes for real football talents.

    Could Sanchez have happened if deal was not concluded at Brazil where all players were at time of negotiations? Your guess is as good as mine.

    Today, if Wenger manages to keep Vermalaen, I’m certain he’ll promote Miquel, announce Debuchy and close shop on defense. He’d sign Ospina(if we’re truly after him).

    The DM is a real issue…yes, Bender, Shneiderin and very good DMs but of the lot available, only Khedira suits the kind of DM Wenger cherishes – technicality sound and very mobile, covers a lot of ground and works tirelessly for the team…almost like Flamini in his last season in his first coming. Wenger is not the sort of guy to overprice a player because of competition…no way! If indeed, Mourinho and Chelsea are onto Khedira, and it appears they are, then Wenger will quickly retreat.

    And knowing the Prof, he’d rather not buy a player he didn’t fancy just because he needed to buy…he’d rather manage what he has and wait for another summer…mind you, another summer, hardly winter…Arshavin was a one-off!

    He will attempt to do with Flamini, Arteta and Diaby instead of going for say Bender or Schneiderin if he never was convinced they were the players he truly needed. Mind you, if Diaby was fit, he’d be one of the three midfielders starting for France in Brazil but Schneiderin played just the last formality group match.

    In my 18 years of following Arsenal, Wenger has never flooded the transfer market just to enrich his bench…he always went for a good player then shifted the one he had to the bench…so, forget Remy. Wenger equally believes Schneiderin is not truly better than a fit Diaby and Flamini…the only man I believe he rates higher is about slipping away…

    That’s how I got my feeling.

    I’d loved to be proved wrong, Rico.

    Meanwhile, let the positive feelings reign!

  46. Woody says:

    Did I read correctly this morning, or am I still a sleep??

    Toni Kroos to Madrid for £20m??

    Is that right?

    Lallana = £25m
    Herrera = £29m
    Fellani = £25m

  47. Nickie says:

    If it was guaranteed Diaby was going to be fit the whole season bar a few weeks for rest/little injuries i’d have no problem in Wenger not buying a DM. I believe him and Ramsey together in the middle would be great. Khedira is a name, but he’d be overkill in that position. Why not get a Schniederlin and another striker and be done (if we keep TV, buy Debuchy and Ospina)

  48. potter says:

    You did Woody, If Khedira’s agent was not touting himself to the Premier League the demands would be lower. It’s the penalty you pay for the high maintenance league we have.

  49. potter says:

    Diaby is a recipient of the he’s better than he is because of the brief cameos we have seen . I remember a lot of misplaced passes ,an own goal and lazy positioning. I have never been impressed and would have sold him anyway. It’s only the injury record that has kept him with us because no-one has the balls to cut and run and take a loss as they should have done some time ago.

  50. Xr!s says:

    Rico;

    Your ‘Go Dickie’ sounds very sexual..lol

    Khedira is a good player but not that good to break our wage structure for. I read somewhere that he might make a U-turn and stay up his contract at Madrid.

  51. Woody says:

    I’m not too bothered by Khedira to be honest. If he think he’s worth more than any Arsenal player then he’s wrong.

    To be frank, I’d prefer a proper DM and I don’t think he’s that player.

  52. Wath says:

    Think we need to stop messing about and just go get Vidal….!

    Didn’t Schneiderlin say he wanted to play CL and play for a top side…?

    That then rules out him joining the vermin down the road then…!

  53. tsgh says:

    Sweet and succinct Rico…

    Debuchy… ??

    Khedira ??

    Bender ??

    Reus/Balo’ watch the space…

    German midfielder maybe; it was said on 8th that it wont be Bender nor Sami…

    We have Le Coq, JW, King Abou all available…

    Hi Ben, Syg, Xris

  54. tsgh says:

    As I also always say Lars Bender has become very average this season btw…

    Ben do you think Leon Goretzka is ready for EPL?

  55. agirlagunner says:

    Boo!!

    potter, no disagreement re: your Diaby assessment…

    Woody, Fellaini went for £27.5m though. 😀 😀 One year later, that figure still boggles the mind. not that I care, but his spell at United has been nothing short of disastrous.

    Come on Khedira, just sign da ting. My concern is that we may miss out on our other options if we play along with Madrid’s timeline. 😕

    Careful, Xr!s, the lady may bin you. 😀

    Hello, rico. 🙂

  56. agirlagunner says:

    Hi, WATH and Ginge, there was a storm here which came as if from nowhere, and 14 million were initially without electricity. Awful.

  57. tsgh says:

    we haven’t sold him yet.Maybe he realises he can play right back. Bt

    RB position wont be filled until after Us of A tour so..

  58. agirlagunner says:

    potter, but if a player puts his foot down… Now to add to the awfulness of player power, we must contend with agent power… Eeek.

    All is well here now, ginge, but no power in my area for 40 hours. Ick.

  59. Nickie says:

    I’m very excited for the Emirates cup. Some great players on show, first time to the emirates in a while. My girlfriends first time at the Emirates. Got a sneaky suspicion she may buy me the shirt 🙂

  60. tsgh says:

    I can’t believe Toni Kroos has done this to me…

    Oh well, I have to start watching RM now too…

  61. agirlagunner says:

    They’re safely stowed away, ginge. 🙂

    Liverpoop seem hell-bent on doing a Totnum, buying all these players who may or may not click…

  62. Wath says:

    Hi AGAG, sorry to hear about the storm, hope all back to normal asap….

    Ts, Had to leave the Harem they ran out of GG so I said not going back until they sort that huge problem out and stock up…!

    Vidal……….. 😉 He any good…?

    Debuchy is done ppl need to relax on that one..!

  63. agirlagunner says:

    Nickie, manage your expectations; she may buy ashirt for herself instead. 😀 Lol.

    Hello, Bt62. 🙂 🙂

  64. tsgh says:

    Bt, I mentioned I read Debuchy may join AS Monaco or as Aw changed his mind…

    Anything can happen but its now looking very unlikely imho… the deal was too expensive and far exceeds Sagna’s asking fee…

    I am not sure if the link is true… apparently he had his medical a week ago so…

    I always suspected AW will try Le Coq, Bellerin and CJ25 before making a move..

    Most say it will be announced today;Lets hope it happens …

  65. agirlagunner says:

    WATH, what sort of harem runs out of GG? Tut. Debuchy’s unveiling seems all anti-climactic now. 😉

  66. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Hello Agag, mother natures full of surprises, some good, some bad, glad to hear all is well again.

  67. tsgh says:

    I did Bt…

    They have always been friends..

    I saw him Cesc, and Judas with their Mrs in Gilgamish 3 years ago…

    Polly lives/works in Manchester so the move has been on since PV left imo…

  68. Wath says:

    It’s a Harem that only had 15 cases of GG in stock so until they have 36 I refuse to spend another weekend there…!

    Smoke and mirrors agents jostling for position and trying to secure as much leverage as possible to earn better fees wages and comms on transfers… scum bags but hey ho that’s what football is in this day and age.

    Am hearing there are weather reports of high winds in the Berkshire area……! those lidl beans must be working a treat.

  69. agirlagunner says:

    Thanks, BT. 🙂

    ginge, maybe we’d get Balo after all. But that photo is a bit cringeworthy, tbh. How’s that for a ‘come-get-me?’? 😀

    WATH, that’s a whole lot of GG. 😉

  70. Xr!s says:

    TSGH;

    If Debuchy is already signed,Maquillo is coming on loan,what about this Al Ahly RB we are taking on trial?

  71. tsgh says:

    Ahmed Fathi is a CB but can play RB according to wiki so…

    I know as much as most on that one. Xris

  72. Wath says:

    That’ll do me for a weekend AGAG 😉

    Bt, green house gases come to mind… poor old ozone layer…! Blown to bits..!

  73. Wath says:

    Ts the bloke is apparently 5″7…. can’t see how he can play centre back less it’s for a subbuteo team..!

  74. agirlagunner says:

    rico will bin you guys for the Berkshire comments. 😛

    ginge, you serious??? Trust RM to be stupid about money…

  75. tsgh says:

    the fee is what AS Monaco want… RM have offered 75M apparently….

    If it should go through he will just be £5m cheaper than Bale.. give or take exchange rate…

    £8m a year salary for the 22 y.o too; just so RM fans can outshine Barca in the marquee signing stake…

  76. tsgh says:

    Massimiliano got rid of Pirlo if I am not wrong during his time at Milan…

    Conte tipped for Azzuri job

  77. agirlagunner says:

    The way that Spanish clubs are spending, you would think Spain isn’t in recession…

    Seen the Forbes list of most valuable sports clubs, Ginge? Arsenal down to no. 16.

    potter, hahaha. 🙂

  78. magnetben says:

    Kramer has just one year of Bundesliga football under is belt. I really like him but I think it would be to early for him. Besides – he belongs to Leverkusen and is on a two-year loan at Gladbach (one year left). And Gladbach would like to buy him and if they can’t they are not gonna let him go. He will stay at Gladbach for at least one more year.

  79. tsgh says:

    Ben. Are you a Sven or a Lars fan? if both would move who would you prefer considering Sven is more defensive minded.

  80. magnetben says:

    Neither one – Lars didn’t really play well this year. He didn’t make it to the World Cup altough Germany had some troubles in the central/defensive midfieldposition and Sven is a fighter, but technically not as gifted.

  81. magnetben says:

    I like Kramer – I think he can be a player for the EPL – but not yet. He won’t be the one for our starting XI THIS season. And Arsenal would have to pay two clubs because of the contract situation.

  82. tsgh says:

    Thanks Ben… good to get a different view…

    my German BVB friend who also supports AFC says she preferred Sven whilst others think Lars is better..

    Like you I thought Lars was very poor last season… his season against Yanited made me realise he was not ready at all imo…

    Its funny how many AFC fans think Lars is better than Arteta…

  83. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Potter, correct one load of aggro, growing up our family had the misfortune to own one! lol

  84. tsgh says:

    Bt, with all this FIFA manager games… big money signings won’t stop…

    Potter do you know if clubs pay taxes on transfers?

  85. magnetben says:

    Yeah – he is a real powerhouse. I mean he started the World Cup final and he was really good till he got knocked out. Also I basically watch every Gladbach game..

  86. tsgh says:

    Ah the first g’bach fan I have met… you have a solid team; I hope you can do a Stuttgart 2007 or Wolfburg and win the title next season…

    I travel to Westfalen once a season if I can… my friend’s family come from Dortmond so we fly from LGw to Cologne and then catch train to North Rhine

  87. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, you’ve mentioned in the past, about going to only Afc away matches, do you get tickets easily?

  88. magnetben says:

    nice.. well my home team suck – they play 3rd division in Germany (Erfurt) but i go to most of the home games. Last season was my first time in the Emirates against Westham. Hope to have a chance with tickets and all to see at least one or two games this season.

  89. tsgh says:

    Not really Bt.I guess it depends on the game. Obviously I can’t get City, Yanited games. I am/was a red member but I haven’t renewed yet..
    My friend has 2 tickets; one for his grandfather and so he hooks me up if I want but its £100 minimum every match day for me so…

    I get a couple of tickets (random) as bonus for collecting/reviewing stats but I get shite games so…

    Why you have some tickets going free? 😉

  90. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, i’ve no problems for home matches as such, i liked to do an away match but find it hard to get tickets, also need plenty of time to book cheap flights. Ts, is anything free in life, bar opinions. lol

  91. magnetben says:

    The flight for me to London was about £100 + accomodation.. at least I got the tickets really “cheap” 🙂

  92. tsgh says:

    😀 Bt.. no harm in asking… I was told. 😉

    The away games are becoming a bit difficult. 3 or 4 years ago, it was more fun…
    The train journeys are filled with negativities;…I guess money is tight and fans expect better.

  93. magnetben says:

    Meh.. wouldn’t even wanna see him in Gladbach 🙂

    I’m off for today – have a nice one!

  94. magnetben says:

    Yes they are – but it was easter holiday and the game got rescheduled because of the FA Cup to midweeks. So we had to wait with the booking of the flight (btw: in Germany they nearly never reschedule league games because of cup games).

  95. tsgh says:

    Top link Rejoice…

    this part in particular

    ”History, so often perceived solely through numbers written in record books, may well remember him kindly. In three seasons he made 152 appearances, scored 42 goals and contributed 48 assists. That all looks impressive, especially as history will also remember him as a midfielder, rather than the myriad of free attacking positions that he was also given at the club. The stats though, as is so often the case, are misleading. If one considers the key goals (meaning those that either gave the team the lead, equalised or reduced a deficit), Fabregas scored just 14. That is only one more than the aging Xavi scored in that time, just four more than utility defender Adriano and fewer than than both Pedro (16) and Alexis Sanchez (27), both of whom were frequently dropped to make room for him. The truth is that Cesc’s record is inflated by annihilations of lesser teams and those watching him play did not see the kind of dominance that they imply. In contrast, the stats of Andres Iniesta are comparatively modest, yet he is utterly essential to the club”

  96. Sukky says:

    Khedira shouldn’t be signed.We have wilshere,le coq,Arteta,Diaby and Flamini.We have young guns coming up and for †̥ђƺ right back position,I love le coq in that position maybe playing him in DM is wrong and maybe he will be a blast at RB.Jenk and bellerin are back ups.Debuchy is 29 right?I thought we produce stars not buy them.But we are know injuries is our great opponent for †̥ђƺ past 7years and it has a strong team with a destroyer as it DM.So signing more players will help.

  97. rogerbij says:

    I wonder how much truth their is in this Remy article, that we only offered him 50k, down from his current 80k. Im not a fan of wage gouging, but on the other hand I wouldnt want to take much of a pay cut myself on my last big contract either. I mean a little maybe…. Considering he is a French international… I dont know, isnt 80k/w the going rate for international strikers from big countries these days? If we dont go for him I hope the reason is a footballing one rather. http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/17/liverpool-clear-to-sign-loic-remy-as-arsenal-pull-out-of-transfer-over-wage-demands-4801905/

  98. Sukky says:

    Funny how some arsenal fans think.Some said †̥ђƺ benders are better than arteta and some believe lukaku is better than giroud.I didn’t rate some of our players when they are with us,I didn’t believe Van persie is a world class until he won †̥ђƺ league for man united.Some even believe Shaw is better than Gibbs even WS01 and de gea.VERY FUNNY.

  99. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Rejoice…that thread on Cesc … never read anything on football more interesting and comprehensive. Thanks for shifting it my way. Everyone here must read…

    By signing Song the following year, it was clear Barca wanted to destroy Arsenal but ended up destroying themselves. But for a player like Messi they would have needed upwards to five years to be Barca again.

    For Fabregas, I pity him…we all make mistakes in life…I don’t see him ever becoming the player he was under Wenger. If it wasn’t for Wenger’s strength of character, Le Prof would have resigned after Cesc left. But allto his credit. he was equally professional enough to have turned Cesc back when it’s clear he isn’t needed again. This is a very good movie premise!

  100. Gonerjoe says:

    Looking like the Russians or their agents has shot down a plane this is not the first time they have done this.

  101. agirlagunner says:

    GJ, it is done. 🙂 Another signing. 🙂

    Rejoice, fantastic article on Cesc. He could have been a legend at Arsenal, instead he’s a Chav…

  102. agirlagunner says:

    Gjoe, rico beat you to it, actually. 😛

    AW really is articulate; Mou just sounds controversial, narcissistic and he’s quite charmless; and if I could understand what Fergie was saying, I’m sure I would be unimpressed. 😛

  103. agirlagunner says:

    Imagine all those people who had nothing to do with the Russia-Ukraine standoff. And that must be such a blow to Malaysia Air. 🙁

  104. agirlagunner says:

    The title of the post, gjoe. 🙂

    rico, you sound relieved to have sen off your guests. 😛

  105. rico says:

    Hi snaparse…

    🙂 agag, not at all really.

    Have had a lovely day with Kev, Adam and Mrs Adam…… Great fun…

  106. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Debuchy in.

    AW met him at the Ems restaurant and they had dinner together.

    Main menu was chicken a la carte. 😉

    Good Evening Fine folk.

  107. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Oh dear, pardon me…never suspected a lady could be this immaculate discussing this game. I bow Rico…and my apologies for believing otherwise!.

  108. agirlagunner says:

    Good save, Tai. 😀

    Gibbs will be wearing no. 3 next season. Nice. Spendy for supporters who have to buy properly numbered kits. 😉

  109. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Finally, Debuchy…one good thing about this signing – we got a guy who keeps the one that left us on the national team’s bench. Great psychological boost!

  110. goonster says:

    Oh great another signing*yawn* debauchery huh? That’s really underwhelming. Oh well what do I know. Can’t even remember to take brianna to get her shots now she’s down with measles. God help me. Afternoon HH.

  111. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I was reading through the comments by Tai.

    Could not help grinning from ear to ear.

    it was a bit funny really. But I did not want to spoil the fun.

    hehe

    Good to see Debuchy 2

    So it will be……
    1
    2453

    Hope Kos gets the number 5 if Tommy V goes

  112. Hell Raising Devil says:

    So atm our defence reads……

    Debuchy, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (??), Monreal, Jenkinson, Miguel, Bellerin, Ajayi.

    That is 7 senior defenders and 3 young pros. If Manquillo comes then Jenks may go on loan unless AW wants him to be CB.

    I still feel we need another CB. Maybe JD will be kept??

  113. Hell Raising Devil says:

    So AW has let BS and Ludivine leave to go and enjoy life on the bench, while he has signed the number 2 RB of the french team.

    That is a psychological blow.

    Slightly a punch under the belt imo.

  114. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I would prefer no JD as well. But he is still registered as an AFC player. So until he goes he is still there.

  115. Hell Raising Devil says:

    If TommyV goes I would prefer Smalling to come the other way. Smalling has regressed a bit. However I feel that AW will improve him again and he is English.

  116. kaz says:

    hi there guyz,
    Am new on this luvly arsenal forum, hope I won’t step on toes with my personal arsenal opinion. Great season ahead.coyg

  117. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Dev…I liked Sanya, still do…but Wenger tried his best to keep him. BS wanted more money and who would blame him? His getting on and any other serious injury could fast-track his retirement.

    Debuchy has always kept Sanya on the French bench since the coming of Deschamps…Debuchy is a step up, believe me…and of course, younger!

  118. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Imo……as you said….AW tried. But I feel that deep down he did not try his hardest. Deep down I feel that AW wanted Debuchy. So he just made his offer and stood his stance. BS refused and AW, who maybe had already talked to MD02, left him free to leave.

    I feel that MD and AW had already had a secret agreement between them regarding the availability of MD to AFC. However since AFC do things correctly and no underhand tactics the club waited till they were give the all clear from NUFC.

  119. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Arsenal wrapped up their second signing of the summer earlier this evening after confirming Mathieu Debuchy has joined the club from Newcastle United.

    The 28-year-old has signed a long-term contract and although neither club have announced the exact fee, it’s widely reported to be in the region of £12m.

    Debuchy will be a direct replacement for Bacary Sagna following his free transfer move to Manchester City last month and now we’ve confirmed what squad number he’ll be wearing next year.

    Thankfully, the French international has been handed the No.2 shirt – formerly worn by Abou Diaby – meaning our first choice full backs will be wearing No.2 and No.3 after Kieran Gibbs made the switch following Sagna’s exit.

  120. rogerbij says:

    Happy days, I was wondering where the Debuchy official was. I then I remembered – Thursday is always official signing day. Looking forward to next thursday! Very happy with this no fuss, quality signing, made in time for pre-season and a proper integration into the team. Excellent stuff.

  121. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Morning all,

    Woke up still wondering about the sense in sending Jenkinson on loan.

    Out of 38 games in the Prem, he’d get up to eight starts. There are about seven games each in Capital One and FA Cups to aim for. Of at least 10 UCL games, he could grab two starts.

    Starting with Community Shield, there over 60 games to play…me thinks Jenks could get about 20 starts…and that is if our new boy, Debuchy stays fit all through…of course there are subs games to add. Why then send him on loan?

    I like Jenks…he completely flows Arsenal and is very eager to learn…this loan could push him off track. It worked for Wilshere but ended in disaster for Miyachi!

    Can somebody educate me on the necessity?

  122. Sukky says:

    When Ramsey play as a full back against Sunderland and a LB for few minutes in a game I can’t really remember,he looked more assured than jenko and he’s really composed.If you’re watching arsenal for †̥ђƺ first time,you will think Ramsey is a full back.Jenko is really not sure what he’s doing when on †̥ђƺ ball,he just brust forward with †̥ђƺ ball and no meaningful end product.And defensively,he made more error than contribution.I don’t rate him at all.He’s not good enough for arsenal in ♍Ɣ opinion.I perfer le coq to him as a RB.

  123. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Many fans didn’t rate same Ramsey, until last season….Jenks was doing well when Sagna got a long lay-off…that’s when he made his senior debut for England…but Sagna’s coming back forced him to the bench and the boy lost his earlier mojo…

    In this game, enthusiasm and dedication would always get you ahead of skill and endowment. Jenks is in the former bracket.

  124. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    Agree with you Devil on smalling,our scouts were all over him,thought wenger would sign him…………
    swop for tommy is how I see it.

  125. frednerk says:

    Many years ago I went to see a reserve game played at highbury,
    at the time Peter Storey was our right back,in them days you got your fitness by playing matches,
    anyway Storey played centre mid,I was’nt a big fan of Storey,thought he was skill less,coud’nt trap a bag of cement,
    well at reserve level the games a bit slower,and storey showed me how he got to play for The Arsenal,he ran the game full 90min.
    Point is when a young player comes into the top league to replace a seasoned international,are we expecting a like for like for a couple of games.
    Having watched Jenks at U/21 level,he has been man of the match more than once.

  126. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Wenger should hold onto Verm…after a long last season and World Cup outing, where Per stayed fit all through, there is chance this season that Verm will get a lot of action…plus he’s better at left back than Monreal.

    Besides, we have to exorcise that devil that pushes our captains out every season!

  127. tsgh says:

    Sukky re your 5:49 it was the sunderland game 2 seasons ago when Sagna palyed his first game for us as a CB. RAmsey played 18minutes at RB and the next match aw placed him next to Arteta and the rest is history…

    The boy showed tactically he was beyond his years and deserved a place in the engine room next to the chief conductor Mikel..

    Morning all btw

  128. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Bonjour Rico and Fred

    Hot again Rico?? What is the temperature in Celsius may I ask???

    Fred, the problem is that whenever a young pro replaces a seasoned veteran is that people expect like for like and start comparisons.

    Comparisons are odious.

    If my wife died right not and after a few years I go out with someone else it would be a problem if I start comparing. The problem would cease to exist if I start appreciating the new one for who she is.

    What once was can never be again. Or can it??

    anyway……not even Debouchy should be compared with Sagna. Hell, we even got a younger upgrade on Sagna. You know, we got the man who was keeping BS out of the French team right!!!

    So Jenks should be valued for what he is not for who do we compare him with.

    I still think (Rico as well) that Jenks will be a future CB..

  129. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Morning Ginge and Tai.

    Tai……TommyV was captain in name.

    Per and Mikel were captains in reality.

  130. Scott From Oz says:

    Jenks is much, much better than plenty think.
    Every time he has a run of games, he up finds form and plays beautifully.

  131. tsgh says:

    I am still not sold on how Debuchy is an upgrade for us than BS… its the typical style of us gooners trying to compensate and make sense of the shambolic dealings and policy of our club…

    As a fact Debuchy was never infront of BS… BS was injured during the last Euros and that allowed MD2 to take his place but in the qualifiers BS came back.

    In this last world cup BS had played a lot more games than MD2 this season and so was bound to be behind the latter. Same as Boateng was played ahead of per when Loew decided he had to play Lahm at RB and push upfield in the latter stages of the WC…

    The myth that Debuchy is a far superior crosser of the ball is nothing but a myth too imo… Yes Debuchy is strong in certain areas but the areas where he is weak is what AFC lack or are weak the most and will miss BS even more.

    Sagna v Debuchy 2013-14 Mins 3060-2494 Goals 1-1, Assists 2-3, Chances created 21-23 Pass% 85%-72% Pass % Final third 79%-56% Cross %15%-16%

    Sagna v Debuchy 2013-14 Mins 3060-2494 Duels success 63%-64% Aerials won 122-116 Headed clearance 106-79 Blocks 7-11 Interceptions 51-69

  132. frednerk says:

    It’s like most players devil,the public might only see match of the day and give opinions on here.
    Ashley Cole,like a lot of full backs stated out as a winger,most scouts reccommend the speed and touch players,who are then made into defenders by the academys.
    Jenks is a very skillfull player,he also started on the wing.

  133. Nickie says:

    I don’t think Debuchy was meant to be an upgrade. Just a sturdy experienced replacement until our youngsters progress to a level that’s acceptable for every week.

    Morning everyone

  134. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Comparisons are odious Ginge. 😉

    So we have to appreciate Debouchy for what he brings to the team. Let us see how it pans out during the season, then we can comment during next summer.

  135. Nickie says:

    Scott

    I also think Jenks has everything to succeed. Good athlete, good in the tackle, quick, marking isn’t bad. Could do with some confidence when in opposition half ie always passing back/side ways. other than that I really like him

  136. tsgh says:

    Aw wants to play attacking football but the world cup has shown that FB need to be defensive first..

    BVB and BM have all decided to restrain their FB in attacking sense…

    All these kamikaze tactics Aw deploys to compensate for the lazy players he signs is a fuss imho…

    I will always support AW and his tactics but for Aw to tell us there are no DM in football and that it made more sense for us to spend £12m on MD02 and give him £70k a week made more sense than retaining BS is complete BS…

    Bs and Per had an understanding that Lauren and Campbell had; you don’t break that up after going 5 or 6 years without any defensive stability…

    Anyway enough ranting from me; MD02 is part of the gang now lets hope he steps up.

  137. frednerk says:

    What I can’t understand ts about this Debuchy deal,is if wenger says that its a like for like player,
    Why did’nt he sign him a couple seasons ago before the magpies bought him
    he could have then sold Sagna for has much has he liked.

  138. Hell Raising Devil says:

    mathematically MD02 is 4 million (salary and fee considered) more expensive than had BS been retained.

    However………BS is over 2 years older than MD02. Plus 2 broken leg periods.

    So maybe physically wise it made more sense for AW to get MD02. He keeps player performance stats mate. We dont.

    unless your name is Ginge 😛

  139. tsgh says:

    Exactly Fred…

    In defence of Aw on that one Aw said back then to Canal+ that it will be a waste for Debuchy to be a bench warmer if he had bought him…

    I have been talking about BS salary etc for awhile; personally without sounding like I am ITK, I am not a fun of how the club pays certain players in the squad.

    Fred, you make another valid point on public seeing match of the day and forming views…

    Its like all this Morgan talk recently.. the fact is only a few will admit they have seen him play..

    I read other blog last night and the general consensus is that Morgan played DM all the time..

    That is another BIG lie.. Morgan as a fact played like Ramsey for Southampton in most games apart from the top 4 teams. Wanyama was always the Defensive one…

    Yes the season before he played as a DM but his control and ability was more suitable further up field for the Saints imho…

    I know Song is not liked here but it was unfair for him or any other player to play 50+ games for us every season whilst others played 20 games and earned more than him…

    BS could have left ages ago… he stayed very loyal to us and was the 2nd best RB in EPL history after Neville in terms of number of times he made EPL team of the year… imho

  140. Scott From Oz says:

    Ginge, Song only worked for ten minutes each game, so minutes per season……….
    🙂 🙂 🙂
    My only issue was he was lazy, mate.
    We’d concede a goal and he’d be walking back.
    It happened too often for me to forgive and forget.

  141. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Ginge, we are not knocking BS on the head mate. We all liked him. But he is gone now.

    Yes he was loyal. But maybe for AW, statistically wise, MD02 made more sense than retaining BS.

    We can only wait and see.

  142. tsgh says:

    😀 Dev… I get sniffs of player stats… 😉

    Like last November when I said Ramsey was in the red and would get injured.. he was running 12 to 13 km most matches because we had very lazy players…

    It could all be that BS had made up his mind for Ludivine to join Purestring’s wife in Cheshire so…

  143. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Come here Lady. it is 36 degrees atm. So work it out how hot it will be during noon to 15.00hrs.

    you will become red like a tomatoe.

    Figure it out how hotter it is in Nigeria or thereabouts in Central Africa.

    I dont even bear thinking about it.

  144. frednerk says:

    Wenger bought Freddie Lungberg after watching a video of him,
    think it was grimonde who told him.

  145. tsgh says:

    🙂 Scott… next time you are in London I might push you in front of a bus.. 😀 😀

    Joking btw…

    Dev, you make valid points…

    My issue is our policy of not valuing certain type of players more in our squad…

    Even Scez earned more than BS and the same as Flappy…

  146. tsgh says:

    Freddie was bought after AW saw Sweden play against England in 1998…

    He had allegedly seen videos of him but was sold by his tactical ability and industry when he saw him play in Wembley… apparently.

  147. Gonerjoe says:

    Tsgh
    The problem with BS is in the end we could not afford to pay the wages man city could.
    The fact is Man city could have increased any wage we offered BS for man city get 2 benefits weakens Arsenal and they get a very good right back.

  148. Hell Raising Devil says:

    maybe Le Boss grew tired of romping with the old Ludivine S and wanted to enjoy himself with the new Ludivine D.

    Maybe the girls on Capocobana beach opened his eyes to a potetially new world.

    Agree Ginge??? 😉

  149. tsgh says:

    Scott, Song covered more ground in games than all players but Sagna…

    I still maintain that fans still hold the opinion that Song played DM for us but as a fact he was playing as a box to box midfielder…
    Like last year Stan Collymore who has played the game comparing Yaya Toure with JW and saying they play in the same role..

    But when you look at it Yaya has raely played DM for City…

    Barry played there and then Fernandinho last season… Yaya plays behind strikers with Siva floating or on the wings…

  150. tsgh says:

    rarely*

    Stop on Gj

    he he he Dev… Lorena Bernal and Ludivine were super specimen of the Great Creator upstairs handwork.. imo 😉

  151. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Aye I agree with the last statemet Ginge….regarding the super specimens of the Great Creator upstairs. They are really super and well sculpted.

    And I have one by my side as well mate. 😉

  152. rico says:

    Matters not where Song was meant to be playing imo, he was really average and clumsy…

    Dangerous in front of the penalty area. His own I mean….

  153. frednerk says:

    Yaya did play deep,most of citys best attacks started from Yaya bringing the out from defence,
    but his recoverer back to midfield is so slow he looks like a forward.

  154. Wavy says:

    If the cancellation of the Fanshare scheme is correct then I think Aresenal have behaved in a most untypical and ungenlemanly way. It would have been less of a bitter pill to swallow if they had the decency to inform the holders before it broke on the streets!
    As it stands, if true, I’m appalled at the manner this loyalty scheme has been destroyed. Furthermore some explanation of why, would not come amiss .

    I’ll watch the .com!

  155. Sukky says:

    Let me guess,Jenk will be earning as much as Rosicky,JW10 will be earning more than SC19.This is bad,I think pay Sagna 100k a week will be win win situation for us.He can play CB,RB. For a couples of year and aid bellerin to develop(not jenk).We pay average players(especially British young players)way too much.Let’s admit that.

  156. Scott From Oz says:

    Ginge, I get your point on Song, but watch that bus coming around the corner hahahahaha

  157. Gonerjoe says:

    By the way Ireland’s back to it’s normal weather it’s been raining all morning I get to bed at 3am awake again at 6 am due to a thunder storm. Poor me 🙂

  158. Hell Raising Devil says:

    comparisons are odious as I have said

    But with whom do you feel more secure? With Arteta or Song in front of the defence.

    Physically Song is more stronger than Arteta.

    However tactically I prefer MA08. Although slower, MA has the nous of where to commit fouls, how to stop attacks, and how to help the team. Yes there are situations where he has been found out.

    However, Song is dangerous in front of his own penalty area, as Rico said.

    Consider how many fouls Arteta commits further upfield to stop the opposition. And how many fouls Song committed in front of the penalty area.

    And how many times has Song bombed forward and left the back door open?? We used to call him Songinho remember???

  159. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Gj,we’ve strong winds here, apparently they originated from the west of England, yesterday afternoon.

  160. tsgh says:

    ha ha Dev…

    I agree with you and Rico btw re lack of football brains…

    Scott… I will stay well away from buses today… lol

  161. Gonerjoe says:

    Have good day everyone of to work again by the way it’s nice to hear the storm did not wake you. 🙂

  162. Hell Raising Devil says:

    When she was 15 she was straight mate.

    Its later when she changed.

    Maybe Sanchez did not fancy Brenda…..he told him he was the wrong sex. lol

  163. Biscuitbum says:

    Where has all this Diaby talk come from. Is he on a special 20 year contract, or has it been secretly extended every year? You have to be seriously sorry for the guy, but any talk regarding him and next seasons team is pointless. Is it possible that Arsene still thinks he can play more than 3 consecutive games without breaking down?

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