Did Arsene Wenger really do all this?

Paul Tomkins “Pay as you Play” 2010.

www.tramsferpriceindex.com

Current Transfer Price Purchase Price (CTPP) is roughly defined as all transfer prices from 1992 to 2010 are “equalized” to 2010 price, adjusted for inflation. You all will have to read Tomkins’ book to get a more detailed explanation.

Other player transfer fees are obtained from www.transfermarket.co.uk; with the actual fees differ from Tomkins’ book. Their transfer fees are adjusted to 2010 CTPP price via extrapolation, and also assuming 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 transfer fees remained the same value for easy comparison.

Players who were transferred before the Premier League was formed have the first Premier League season listed as their transfer date.

I compiled a list of all Arsenal players bought by Bruce Rioch (1995/96 – and of course Bergy was bought on the recommendation of Wenger) and Arsene Wenger, players who played in the Premier League from 1992 to 2012:

00 _ Year _ CTPP _____ Original Fee _ Name of Player

01 _ 99/00: £24,640,038 : £10,500,000 : Henry T

02 _ 97/98: £23,632,552 : £  7,000,000 : Overmars M

03 _ 00/01: £23,138,382 : £13,000,000 : Wiltord S

04 _ 05/06: £21,897,039 : £12,000,000 : Walcott T

05 _ 03/04: £21,219,452 : £10,500,000 : Reyes J

06 _ 05/06: £20,437,236 : £11,200,000 : Hleb A

07 _ 95/96: £19,721,386 : £  7,500,000 : Bergkamp D

08 _ 92/93: £16,640,516 : £  2,500,000 : Wright Ian

09 _ 08/09: £15,000,000 : £14,520,000 : Arshavin A

10 _ 08/09: £14,545,455 : £14,080,000 : Nasri S

11 _ 07/08: £13,408,532 : £11,880,000 : Eduardo

12 _ 92/93: £13,312,412 : £  2,000,000 : Keown M

13 _ 01/02: £13,106,620 : £10,000,000 : Jeffers F

14 _ 05/06: £12,773,273 : £  7,000,000 : Adebayor E

15 _ 95/96: £12,490,211 : £  4,750,000 : Platt David

16 _ 00/01: £12,459,129 : £  7,000,000 : Lauren

17 _ 11/12: £12,144,000 : £12,144,000 : Oxlade-Chamberlain A

18 _ 06/07: £11,817,182 : £  6,800,000 : Rosicky T

19 _ 97/98: £11,816,276 : £  3,500,000 : Petit E

20 _ 96/97: £11,816,276 : £  3,500,000 : Vieira P

21 _ 01/02: £11,303,149 : £  8,624,000 : Pires R

22 _ 99/00: £11,151,377 : £  4,752,000 : Suker D

23 _ 97/98: £11,141,060 : £  3,300,000 : Petit E

24 _ 97/98: £11,141,060 : £  3,300,000 : Grimandi G

25 _ 01/02: £11,140,627 : £  8,500,000 : Van Bronckhorst

26 _ 98/99: £11,023,117 : £  4,500,000 : Kanu N

27 _ 10/11: £11,000,000 : £11,000,000 : Koscielny L

28 _ 00/01: £10,679,253 : £  6,000,000 : Edu

29 _ 09/10: £10,560,000 : £10,560,000 : Vermaelen T

30 _ 11/12: £10,560,000 : £10,560,000 : Gervinho

31 _ 11/12: £10,560,000 : £10,560,000 : Arteta M

32 _ 01/02: £10,380,443 : £  7,920,000 : Wright Richard

33 _ 11/12: £  9,944,000 : £  9,944,000 : Mertesacker P

34 _ 02/03: £  9,797,984 : £  6,072,000 : Gilberto Silva

35 _ 98/99: £  9,700,343 : £  3,960,000 : Ljungberg F

36 _ 92/93: £  9,371,939 : £  1,408,000 : John Jenson

37 _ 07/08: £  8,939,021 : £  7,920,000 : Sagna B

38 _ 94/95: £  8,677,410 : £  3,300,000 : Hartson J

39 _ 97/98: £  8,318,658 : £  2,464,000 : Upson M

40 _ 06/07: £  8,028,914 : £  4,400,000 : Denilson

41 _ 04/05: £  8,004,624 : £  4,400,000 : Almunia M

42 _ 04/05: £  7,204,161 : £  3,960,000 : Robin van Persie

43 _ 97/98: £  7,130,279 : £  2,112,000 : Luis Boa Morte

44 _ 93/94: £  6,466,895 : £  2,640,000 : Keown M

45 _ 98/99: £  6,466,895 : £  2,640,000 : Diawara K

46 _ 05/06: £  6,423,131 : £  3,520,000 : Song Alex

47 _ 03/04: £  6,224,373 : £  3,080,000 : Lehman J

48 _ 11/12: £  6,160,000 : £  6,160,000 : Santos A

49 _ 98/99: £  5,927,987 : £  2,420,000 : Luzhny O

50 _ 08/09: £  5,818,182 : £  5,632,000 : Ramsey A

51 _ 10/11: £  5,720,000 : £  5,720,000 : Squillaci S

52 _ 03/04: £  5,690,855 : £  2,816,000 : Fabregas C

53 _ 02/03: £  5,431,491 : £  3,366,000 : Cygan P

54 _ 94/95: £  5,206,446 : £  1,980,000 : Kiwomya C

55 _ 05/06: £  4,817,349 : £  2,640,000 : Vela Carlos

56 _ 05/06: £  4,817,349 : £  2,640,000 : Diaby A

57 _ 98/99: £  4,742,390 : £  1,936,000 : Vivas N

58 _ 07/08: £  4,320,527 : £  3,828,000 : Fabianski L

59 _ 06/07: £  3,649,507 : £  2,000,000 : Merida F

60 _ 04/05: £  3,522,035 : £  1,936,000 : Eboue E

61 _ 10/11: £  3,520,000 : £  3,520,000 : Wellington Silva

62 _ 11/12: £  2,992,000 : £  2,992,000 : Park CY

63 _ 93/94: £  2,950,319 : £  1,122,000 : McGoldrick E

64 _ 07/08: £  2,880,351 : £  2,552,000 : Diarra L

65 _ 99/00: £  2,374,830 : £  1,012,000 : Malz S

66 _ 94/95: £  2,313,976 : £     880,000 : Schwarz S

67 _ 97/98: £  2,035,100 : £     602,800 : Manninger A

68 _ 01/02: £  1,730,074 : £  1,320,000 : Stepanovs I

69 _ 96/97: £  1,688,039 : £     500,000 : Anelka N

70 _ 00/01: £  1,409,661 : £     792,000 : Tavlaridis E

71 _ 07/08: £  1,191,869 : £  1,056,000 : Botelho P

72 _ 97/98: £  1,114,106 : £     330,000 : Mendez A

73 _ 11/12: £     990,000 : £     990,000 : Jenkinson C

74 _ 11/12: £     880,000 : £     880,000 : Campbell Joel

75 _ 08/09: £     836,000 : £     836,000 : Silvestre M

76 _ 05/06: £     729,901 : £     400,000 : Mannone V

77 _ 03/04: £     666,897 : £     330,000 : Clichy G

78 _ 04/05: £     480,277 : £     264,000 : Lupoli A

79 _ 11/12: £     420,000 : £     420,000 : Eisfield T

80 _ 94/95: £     416,516 : £     158,400 : Lee Harper

81 _ 01/02: £     403,684 : £     308,000 : Juan

82 _ 07/08: £     297,967 : £     264,000 : Freeman L

83 _ 08/09: £     272,727 : £     264,000 : Bischoff A

84 _ 06/07: £     120,434 : £       66,000 : Rui Fonte

85 _ 96/97: Free : Remi Garde

87 _ 97/98: Free : Wreh C

88 _ 99/00: Free : Sylvinho

89 _ 01/02: Free : Sol Campbell

90 _ 01/02: Free : Kolo Toure

91 _ 01/02: Free : Inamoto J

92 _ 04/05: Free : Flamini M

93 _ 10/11: Free : Chamakh M

94 _ 10/11: Free : Ryo Miyaichi

Guess which players value for money and which players a waste of space?

Do notice that Wenger overpaid for all those overhyped English players who did not make it at Arsenal.

Did Arsene Wenger really made money on player transfer fees?

Gauge for yourself on these figures obtained from www.transfermarket.co.uk:

Year : Profit/(Loss) : Arrival in £ : Departure in £

92/93::: (1,452,000) ::: 1,408,000 ::: 2,860,000

93/94::: (3,762,000) ::: 3,762,000 ::: 0

94/95::: (2,622,400) ::: 6,318,400 ::: 3,696,000

95/96: (14,212,000) : 16,148,000 ::: 1,936,000

96/97:::: 7,207,200 :::: 5,376,800 : 12,584,000

97/98: (17,916,000) : 18,708,000 :::::: 792,000

98/99: (15,180,000) : 16,456,000 ::: 1,276,000

99/00:: 16,016,000 ::: 19,932,000 : 35,948,000

00/01:: 22,594,000 ::: 32,824,000 : 55,418,000

01/02: (36,784,000) : 44,000,000 ::: 7,216,000

02/03:::::::: 66,000 :::: 9,438,000 ::: 9,504,000

03/04: (16,990,000) : 18,046,000 ::: 1,056,000

04/05::: (7,114,800) : 10,560,000 ::: 3,445,200

05/06: (18,480,000) : 40,480,000 : 22,000,000

06/07:::::::: 836,000 : 13,266,000 : 14,102,000

07/08:: 22,748,000 ::: 27,500,000 : 50,248,000

08/09: (12,628,000) : 35,332,000 : 22,704,000

09/10:: 31,416,000 ::: 10,560,000 : 41,976,000

10/11: (12,144,000) : 20,240,000 ::: 8,096,000

11/12:: 14,245,200 ::: 54,650,000 : 68,895,200

 

Arsenal FC Spendings from 1992/93 to 2011/12:

Losses = (£41,252,400): Arrival = £405,005,200: Departure = £363,752,400

Or Arsenal had spent £405,005,200 on players with losses of (£41,252,400) without adjusting for inflation.

Arsene Wenger’s Spendings from 1996/97 to 2011/12:

Losses = (£22,108,400): Arrival = £377,368,800: Departure = £355,260,400

Or Arsene Wenger had spent £377,368,800 on players with losses of (£22,108,400) without adjusting for inflation.

Throughout Wenger’s managerial career, he always spent, but wisely and always on the lookout for bargains and he will never match the spending sprees of Alex Ferguson, Benitez, Dalglish, and “financial doping” of Mourinho and Mancini. And he can snap up quality players from free transfers or on a Bosman like Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Flamini and Ryo Miyachi.

Wenger’s Policy is always to snap up bargains and to build within since his days in France, as well as in Japan. And the complaint of Patrick Vieira for not buying “world-class players” best summed up Arsene Wenger’s reply, “You were not world-class when you signed for Arsenal.”

For easy reference, I list out the players that Arsene Wenger bought since 1995/96 season (plus since the start of Premier League) Taken from www.transfermarket.co.uk:

1992/93

1 – John Jenson – £1,408,000

 

1993/94

1 – M Keown – £2,640,000

2 – E McGoldrick – £1,122,000

1994/95

1 – J Hartson – £3,300,000

2 – C Kiwomya – £1,980,000

3 – S Schwarz – £880,000

4 – Lee Harper – £158,400

1995/96 – Spent £16,148,000

1 – D Bergkamp – £9,900,000

2 – David Platt – £6,248,000

1996/97 – Spent £5,376,800

1 – P Vieira – £4,708,000

2 – N Anelka – £668,800

1997/98 – Spent £18,708,800

1 – M Overmars – £6,600,000

2 – E Petit – £3,300,000

3 – G Grimandi – £3,300,000

4 – Mathew Upson – £2,464,000

5 – Luis Boa Morte – £2,112,000

6 – Alex Manninger – £602,800

7 – A Mendez – £330,000

8 – C Wreh – Free

1998/99 – Spent £16,456,000

1 – N Kanu – £5,500,000

2 – F Ljungberg – £3,960,000

3 – K Diawara – £2,640,000

4 – O Luzhny – £2,420,000

5 – Nelson Vivas – £1,936,000

1999/00 – Spent £19,932,000

1 – T Henry – £14,168,000

2 – D Suker – £4,752,000

3 – S Malz – £1,012,000

4 – Sylvinho – Free

2000/01 – Spent £32,824,000

1 – F Jeffers – £13,464,000

2 – Lauren – £9,416,000

3 – R Pires – £8,624,000

4 – I Stepanovs – £1,320,000

2001/02 – Spent £44,000,000

1 – S Wiltord – £15,400,000

2 – Van Bronckhorst – £11,880,000

3 – Richard Wright – £7,920,000

4 – Edu – £7,700,000

5 – E Tavlaridis – £792,000

6 – Juan – £308,000

7 – Kolo Toure – Free

8 – J Inamoto – Free

9 – Sol Campbell – Free

2002/03 – Spent £9,438,000

1 – Gilberto Silva – £6,072,000

2 – Pascal Cygan – £3,366,000

2003/04 – Spent £17,846,000

1 – Jose Reyes – £10,500,000

2 – J Lehmann – £3,080,000

3 – C Fabregas – £2,816,000

4 – P Senderos – £1,320,000

5 – Gael Clichy – £330,000

2004/05 – Spent £10,560,000

1 – M Almunia – £4,400,000

2 – Van Persie – £3,960,000

3 – E Eboue – £1,936,000

4 – A Lupoli – £264,000

5 – M Flamini – Free

2005/06 – Spent £40,480,000

1 – Alex Hleb – £13,200,000

2 – Theo Walcott – £9,240,000

3 – E Adebayor – £8,800,000

4 – Alex Song – £3,520,000

5 – Abou Diaby – £2,640,000

6 – Carlos Vela – £2,640,000

7 – V Mannone – £400,000

2006/07 – Spent £13,266,000

1 – T Rosicky – £8,800,000

2 – Denilson – £4,400,000

3 – Rui Fonte – £66,000

2007/08 – Spent £27,500,000

1 – Eduardo – £11,880,000

2 – B Sagna – £97,920,000

3 – L Fabianski – £3,828,000

4 – Lasana Diarra – £2,552,000

5 – Pedro Botelho – £1,056,000

6 – Luke Freeman – £264,000

2008/09 – Spent £35,332,000

1 – A Arshavin – £14,520,000

2 – Samir Nasri – £14,080,000

3 – A Ramsey – £5,632,000

4 – M Silvestre – £836,000

5 – A Bischoff – £264,000

2009/10 – Spent £10,560,000

1 – T Vermaelen – £10,560,000

2010/11 – Spent £20,240,000

1 – L Koscielny – £11,000,000

2 – S Squillaci – £5,720,000

3 – Wellington Silva – £3,520,000

4 – Ryo Miyachi – Free

5 – Chamakh – Free

2011/12 – Spent £54,650,000

1 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – £12,144,000

2 – Gervinho – £10,560,000

3 – M Arteta – £10,560,000

4 – P Mertesacker – £9,944,000

5 – Andre Santos – £6,160,000

6 – Park CY – £2,992,000

7 – C Jenkinson – £990,000

8 – Joel Campbell – £880,000

9 – Tomas Eisfield – £420,000

That is the breakdown over the years, so what can we expect this summer?

Written by Merlin96

141 thoughts on “Did Arsene Wenger really do all this?

  1. rico says:

    Morning all

    Interesting post Merlin, AW has bought a few gems in his time, but there has also been plenty of duffers….

    £13 and a half million on Jeffers, what a waste of money….

  2. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Guys and Chicks of the Everincreasing Gunners’ Faith.

    Hope you are all ok.

    Morning Rico and Lee

    Interesting points Merlin. You surely are a stats-worm…you gobble them up mate. 😉

  3. gooner says:

    you can’t get it right each and every time, but overall wenger did a very good job in transfer market considering the resourses in his hand and comparing with our rivals.

  4. sid says:

    Sorry but most of those figures are gurstimTes or just made yp! Ovrrmars wS lrss than 5 mill and Theo was about 8m. In fact Henys is the only accuarate figure…

  5. Scott From Oz says:

    Evening all.
    Since 03/04,look at the purchases…..Wenger has done sensational business.
    Looking purely at players bought then sold in that period,he’s going well.
    Then take into account players still with the club,and his genius shines through.
    What’s RVP worth today?
    Theo,Song,Koscielny,Ramsey,Vermaelen…….each is worth much more than they were purchased for.
    In two years time,what will Ryo and Ox be worth….the mind boggles.
    Even Gervinho,who I believe will blossom over the next 12 months,could be worth double by then.
    Jenkinson is certainly worth more now than 12 months ago.
    Campbell,in my opinion,will be an absolute beauty.
    One other factor….players like Bergkamp gave us an immeasurable amount of value on the field,yet not one cent in the transfer market,as he retired with us.
    What would he have been worth two or three years after we bought him?
    Statistics can be a great guide,but they need to be treated warily,as they can give a distorted view of things.
    Bloody good read though Merlin.

  6. Scott From Oz says:

    Wayne Rooney just visited Fabrice Muamba in hospital.
    After the visit,the lad was overcome with joy,and is starting to believe in miracles.
    He was overheard telling mates that “Wayne can almost put a full sentence together”.

    Hope that offends nobody,and I certainly don’t want to make light of Fabrices condition,but that was too good not to pass on.
    In all seriousness,Fabrice watched his lads beat Blackburn over the weekend in Tele…..good signs.

  7. devilgunner says:

    ….you forgot a bit from the sentence Scott.

    He was overheard telling mates that “Wayne can almost put a full sentence together………without telling someone to FO” 😆

  8. Scott From Oz says:

    Touche Devil lol.
    Gotta love it,though.
    Mate,we had better keep this going and prop up the rest…..are they all sleeping in or something???
    Did you read my little report on my kids the other day?
    I thought we were playing u/8’s or 9’s!!!!
    Little fellas stepped up massively.

  9. devilgunner says:

    Good evening Scott. I do not have that much time either, however every now and then I do pop in.

    Oui I read that report. Kids do step up between the ages of 6 and 12. You see the first steps and before you know it they are young men with skills to rival what you see on TV. The best thing is to keep them repeating what they have done. For example the best game they can have is the 4v4 in a small area where they can dribble each other and do small passes and also wall passes. For example at my club we have an area which we call the hockey pitch. It is built like a hockey area with walls on the side (padded) where the ball does not go out of play. There are no throw ins and corners and even the area above is covered with a net around12 ft high. This forces the players to play along the floor and allows the ball to be continously into play. Even we grown ups like to play it. For example around a week ago we had a game between us coaches (4 aside) where the other team scored….the ball hit the net and came out, it fell to me, I passed it to another coach around 15 metres in front of me and before you can say WOW theball was in the other net. However you have to keep changing the players because it can race your heartbeat to stratospheric levels.

    You need to have good rests……6 minutes play 4 minutes rest. But it also sharpens your mind and makes you think quicker.

    This type of game also develops skills because you have to dribble and pass constantly and fast footy becomes second nature. And it is also fun……especially when you play a one two with the wall to go past your opponent.

    If you get your children to play these small games with little variations now and then thenyou can achieve much much more.

  10. Scott From Oz says:

    Thanks for the tip.
    We have an indoor centre we can try it in.
    The improvement from last year is incredible,though 6 months at this stage of their lives is a large percentage.
    Who do you coach Devil?

  11. Merlin96 says:

    Good Morning People.

    Now above post put to rest the urban myth that Arsene Wenger will not buy.
    He will buy, but always value for morning as he does not believe in spending 30+ mil for a player that will not improve his squad by a quantum leap.

    What Wenger is doing is to sniff out bargain, those 19-22 year old “Vieira, ANelka, Henry, Freddy, Van Perise”…and then those expereinced players that will immediate improved the squad like “Overmars, Petit, WIltord, Lauren, Gilberto, Edu, Reyes…” and hoping to sign those freebies on a Bosman like Sol Campbell…FLamini…..CHamakh…

    You win some, you lose some….

    Do remember the battle that Wenger got to fight against “Financial doping” from Mourinho, and now Mancini..Malaga..PSG….ANhzi…all billionaires’ play-toys……..and of course, Real and Barca’s financial power.

    Not forgetting Ferguson and Benitez (now Daglish) that will spend 50-mil at one go….

    From Wenger’s spendings from 1997 to 2001, I can see a repeat of this era, starting this summer 2012 where he had accummulated a warchest for the past 3 years to spend on quality players.

    Arsene Wenger maybe overdue for a stroke of luck after 7 trophyless seasons:
    – FInally, his Wenger Wunderkind is maturing nicely into the squad, namely, Djourou, Szczesny, Gibbs, Walcott, WIlshere, DIaby, Ramsey, Frimpong, Coquelin, Yennaris,…plus a few more in OXlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson, Ryo Miyachi, Benik Afobe, Aneke,……..Gnarby, Toral,

    – A warchest to buy 2 or 3 marquee players as needed.

    ANyway, by 13-May-12, we will know how good is this squad when it is at full-strength and injury-free.
    My KPI for them:
    Emulate 1997/98 squad and string together at least an unbeaten run of 13 no. consecutive wins…adn remain unbeaten till season end.

    How many of you beleive that Wenger will not buy 2 or 3 24 to 27-year old marquee players by 31-AUg-2012?.. :mrgreen:

  12. asaph says:

    If we can get the statistics of other clubs, then u will see how good wenger has been to arsenal, he has never bought a 80m flop like ibra or 50m flop like torres! The whole world knows that wenger is the best manager when it comes to economics! Gunners till I quench!

  13. South Yorkshire Gunner says:

    Eight games to go – 24 points to play for with every game winnable. That is 82 points. I don’t know without looking, but 82 points and less has won the Premier League before.

    Fingers crossed that Fulham do Man Utd and antyhing is possible.

  14. devilgunner says:

    At the moment I am coaching the under 17’s for a local club which plays in the premier division. This is our first year in the top division since I have been there for the last seven years. It is the age which I enjoy being with most. At my club I have also been a caretaker coach for half a season for the senior team. I enjoyed my stint with the seniors however, as AK can testify, I enjoy much more the ages between 14 and 19 than seniors. It is much more satisfying for me. The club has never competed in European cups although usually at the young players academy we do like to go for tournaments abroad. I have quite a good record when we go abroad having played 9 games winning 3 games, drawing 2 and loosing 4. We are not top level nation, being instead one of the smallest nations in Europe. However winning 3 out of 9 for one of the best youth academies on our island is quite a good result.

  15. Scott From Oz says:

    Merlin,its been my belief is that his youth policy is working.
    Too many expected it to work straight away,but it was always going to take 8 or 10 years to see the results.
    Your stats do show someone who spends,but spends wisely.
    Yes,he’s had some failures,but he’s never had a 36 million Andy Carroll,or a 50 million Torres.
    Has any manager of the last twenty years brought so many players from obscurity to the top??
    I think he will get Podolski,and one of either Hazard or Gotze.
    The reason…I think he has a great blend of experience and youth,and just needs that touch of absolute class to complete the puzzle.

  16. Scott From Oz says:

    Where are you located Devil???
    I love coaching kids.
    No egos,and they’re playing for the love of the game.

  17. devilgunner says:

    When I used to coach the small kids I also enjoyed myself a lot. However there were two things which put me off Scott…..the parents who think that their son will go on to be the next Messi, and the pressure they put on the team to win. I do not give a rat’s arse about winning at that age (although it is good for the kids to have that feel), but concentrate mainly on the acquisition of skills and balance plus co-ordination. However some parents never think it that way. I have an eight year old and the first things I looked to improve in him where his running gait, his physical power, his balance and co-ordination and alertness. Sometimes I repeat the same exercise twice a week to see my son do the thing perfectly. I give him individual coaching since I am not allowed to coach my own son at the club. So usually we spend around an hour three to four times a week between me and him. The step ladder and small races are the best for that age. Then its ball all the time. Keep repeating and repeating. And most importantly tell them to compete with themselves not with someone else. For example if a boy manages to run 30 metres dribbling a ball in say 7 seconds tell him that next time he needs to do it in less. In that way they will improve. And also HAVE FUN

  18. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,I’m blessed to have a great set if parents.
    I think seeing the improvement in the kids gave them the belief that my ideas worked,and they just never interfere.
    I constantly,and I do mean constantly,tell the kids that I don’t care what the score is,or who scored the goals.
    The results take care of themselves,and don’t bother me at all.
    Yes,I’m happy when they win,but seeing them string even two passes together,which is huge at the age of 6,is what excites me.
    To see the boys get stuck in and tackle big,tall kids like demons was something else.
    Fun first,learn second,results rank about tenth.

  19. Scott From Oz says:

    SYG…..my antidote to parents was easy.
    If anyone can do it better,take over!!!!!
    Again,I’ve got a fantastic group,so count myself lucky.

  20. devilgunner says:

    My antidote to parents was…….if you grumble or fight between you your son will be out of the team. End of. That way they shut up. I did not like it that way but when you have parents bickering between themselves why one boy started the game and the other went in at half time (without taking into consideration that they were playing equal time), you have to think which is the best way to keep them in check. And with that they managed to shut up.

    Once I even had a parent of a seven year old who let in a soft goal telling his son “We will speak about that at home.” Immediately I stopped the game and told the parent that if something happens to his son I will report him for child abuse. The look on the parent’s face was such a deflated picture that it was worth it I can tell you. After the game I called the father and mother of the boy and told him that such words were intolerable when said to children. Rather children come to learn and have fun. That boy is still playing football (at another club) but whenever we meet his smile still smacks of thanks. And he is still one of my favourite ever young players.

  21. devilgunner says:

    With the senior team it is true that you earn more money. The rewards for winning can be even greater. However with the kids what you earn through satisfaction, especially if a kid do happens to go on and make it to the premier, far outweighs the money you can earn. Yes, I have won cups at youth level, but seeing a player step out to play for the national team (currently there are two who I coached when they were young) is worth its weight not in gold but in diamonds. That day I am a very proud man.

  22. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,its funny,but I have much more patience with kids than with adults.
    I’m not sure why,but I can get through to them in a way they seem to understand and absorb.
    Also,I know I don’t have anywhere near technical knowledge to coach an older age group.
    I will do my coaching certificates and who knows where that will lead me,but I know my limitations and strengths,so will work around them atm.
    I can’t receive an email…….got a new phone recently,and its just not happening.
    I’ll try to sort it out tomorrow,and will let you know when its done.
    Off to bed now,so goodnight all myy HH friends.

  23. rico says:

    Hi adam, not for long sadly, just popping in to say hell for an hour….

    Mondays are always busy for me….

  24. adam says:

    Warm in London. A hard morning of writing and talking nonsense on the phone resulted in me getting an invite to watch Arsenal at QPR this saturday with a pre-match 4 course lunch and a parking space. Then watch the game from the director’s box. Can’t believe it really. They obviously don’t realise what riff-raff I am.

  25. rico says:

    Alright for some eh adam 😉

    Maybe you could do a post on the match and your day in the directors box 🙂

  26. Gunner4life says:

    If we are to sign quality in the summer, it should be players that will help us beat the manchester teams by producing that magic or moment of brilliance when the game is in the balance or be a quality cover defender when one of our defenders are injured(vertonghen comes to mind). I mean if you look at the points at the moment, had we beaten the manchester teams so far this season, we would’ve been well in the title race because we would’ve had 67 points, manure would’ve had 64 points (manure beat us twice and therefore took six points from us) and man city would’ve had 67 points(man city beat us once and took 3 points from us). And I haven’t even pointed out the terrible start we had beginning of the season. We have the quality, just need that little extra to dominate our rivals. The above just shows how the media can exaggerate and blow things out of proportion(they probably do that on purpose to destabilise us). Its all in the mind gunners. IN ARSENE I TRUST!!!

  27. adam says:

    I will contact you about that and if I have time I will certainly do it. I lucked into it through a friend who has never watched a game of football in his life. I shall try to represent Gooners well though and not pick my nose or drool more than is considered normal for a Londoner.

  28. rico says:

    Hi G4L..

    I’ve always believed we needed a massive overhaul this summer but now I have certainly changed my opinion, which will shock a few 😉

    The most important thing imho is to get a lot of the dross shipped out finally and then get three quality players, Podolski is looking likely, Wenger has hinted at another striker too and then if we could just get an older reliable keeper and Jan Vertonghen.

    Then I seriously believe we could challenge on all accounts….

  29. rico says:

    😆 adam, we’ll all be looking out for you in the directors box, well i certainly will so no slipping up 😉

    Look forward to hearing from you 🙂

  30. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Rico.

    That was a mighty fine effort from Merlin.
    I do like me stats, so i’m gonna save that one for when i get home and can really study it on my PC.
    My phone just doesn’t do it justice.
    Gotta say Merlin. That was 3 posts in 1 mate.
    Afternoon Lee.

  31. allezkev says:

    I’m definately getting that Close Season feeling.
    No news is good news as far as AFC are concerned.
    But you do kinda miss the chit~chat in the media.
    Even if 99% of it is crap…

    Rico, think we missed a chance in dismissing the Sri Lankans for about 280. Think they’ll get 350/375 now.

  32. rico says:

    Afternoon AK, certainly is a great post, i keep reading it and looking at how much we paid for quite a few less than average players….

    Beggars belief, guess he can’ pick a gem every time 😉

    Nah, Jimmy first thing in the morning will skittle them out 😛

  33. allezkev says:

    Percy Circus. A bit posh mate. 🙂
    Yeah i know it well.
    Nice little cut through if Pentonville Rd is jammed up.

  34. adam says:

    Kev. Yep, behind the hotel. It wasn’t posh when I lived there. I bought the area down with my sickening habits and wild electric guitar playing.

  35. allezkev says:

    Jimmy is young enough and fit enough to be able to challenge Botham’s record.
    Panasar is a right tit.
    He bowl’s really well and then drops two dolly catches…

  36. allezkev says:

    Adam, was it sex, drugs and rock n’ roll..?
    But not always in that order… 🙂
    Offski now…

  37. Lee says:

    Have you see that szczesny story…. he’s out for dinner and gets accosted by a load of kids on a birthday bash…. he signs autographs & poses for pictures, then when he leaves he picks up their bill!!

  38. Lee says:

    The Gunners have been heavily linked to the German striker since January, and recent reports claimed the 26-year-old had already passed a medical with the north Londoners with the transfer expected to be announced within the week.

    Although Wenger played down these suggestions before the 3-0 win over Aston Villa, the Frenchman has now uncharacteristically admitted his desire to bring Podolski to the Emirates, which suggests an agreement may not be far away.

    ‘Yes [we want Podolski],’ said Wenger.

    ‘We want to add some offensive strikers, because many times people say we rely too much on Van Persie, which is true, but if we can find world-class players, we will [challenge for the title].’

    Wenger also pointed to two key moments in the season, which he believes has painted an inaccurate position of the Gunners capabilities.

    ‘I just felt we had two weak periods in the season and you can only afford one,’ he continued.

    ‘I knew when we were 17th [in August] that we cannot afford any weak periods anymore, so when that happened in January it was very difficult.

    ‘If you look at the circumstances of the [second] blip, it was down to the fact we had no full-backs. Overall since October, since the team has gelled, we are not on too bad a run.

    ‘Manchester City have had the opposite; they started in the way we are now. It is difficult for everyone to maintain that.’

    Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/894261-lukas-podolski-can-fire-arsenal-to-title-glory-says-ar

  39. rico says:

    Lee – I did see that story, what a guy eh 🙂

    He was a bit too old to be at the kids party though wasn’t he 😉

  40. Merlin96 says:

    http://justarsenal.com/laurent-koscielny-is-just-one-caution-away-from-a-2-match-ban/13179

    CHeck this out…..and if it is true, then Kos will rest against QPR and he will be back against ABu DHabi CIty.

    It is most likely that Kos will pick up a yellow against Abu Dhabi CIty as there maybe one or two blatant bodycheck or desperate tackle to stop Aguero/Tevez/Botelli/SIlva/Nasri from breaking thru’…..

    Then, suspended for 2 matches against WIgan and Wolves.

    I hope Wenger will rest Kos against QPR as Vermaleen-DJourou pairing can do a decent job against a “kick and rush” team like QPR…with Hughes using physical tactics to intimidate our players and rough ’em out of their passing rhythm.

  41. adam says:

    Spurs have stopped the rot says Bale. I suppose 2 points from the last 15 means he is right. I also think he is intending to go airborne again to con a few refs and win a few penalties.

  42. allezkev says:

    Directors box at QPR eh Adam..?
    Mixing with the movers and shakers…!

    Bit like Percy Circus…. 🙂

  43. adam says:

    I reckon so Kev. Percy Circus was a fun time but then I moved East. The QPR thing should be fun. They just mailed me the menu.

  44. allezkev says:

    Yeah, that Metro, they print a right load of old tosh.
    No wonder it’s a freebie.

    Merlin that sounds sensible. Rest Koz & save him for The Manchester Oilers.

  45. allezkev says:

    Man it’s so sloooooowwwww today.
    Weather is fantastic though.
    It’s on days like these that i really need a flyers.

    What’s on the menu then Adam?

  46. allezkev says:

    Adam. I used to live in Harold Hill, Romford.
    My eldest boy still lives there.
    Now i’m down in darkest Kent, New Romney.
    Surrounded by Chavs. But very subdued Chavs. 🙂

  47. adam says:

    Kev. it’s soup, a Chicken Chasseurs with trimmings, a nice sounding passion fruit cheesecake and then cheese, biscuits and fruit with meat pies and chocolate cake at half time. With that lot they’ll need to stretcher me home after the game. There is also an apres-game spread but I doubt I’ll have much room for that. Perhaps a doggy bag?

  48. adam says:

    Ah Kent. I have a mate in Birchington On Sea. It’s like entering a time warp down there. Everybody moves in slow motion. But it is rather nice.

  49. allezkev says:

    Rico, talk is all the Spuds have.
    I’m so pleased that Wenger has kept it low~key & humble.
    Even the players seem to have cut back on the Tweets.
    Do your talking on the pitch.
    Oliver was always banging on about that.
    Btw, have you heard from him?

  50. allezkev says:

    No Adam i don’t mate.
    My sister lived up Wanstead way, the other end of Hermon Hill.
    Very nice around there.
    We almost got a flat in South Woodford back in the 1980’s.
    Not far from that big roundabout [ i should know it ]…
    Close to the River Roding i think.

  51. devilgunner says:

    Hiya friends.

    Just for a bit than its off again. I do hope that Keown or Bould or DB10 or two from the above at the same time is the assistant to AW. But then again…..knowing AW he will get a very young coaching prodigy as number 2. Who knows maybe……me??? 😆 Or maybe one whose world is OZ??? 😉

    Or it may be someone who we have never heard off. Shades of Arsene Who?? Remember.

  52. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Sir AK. How is life in the fast lane behind the wheel?? Training to beat Ferrari’s world records??? 😉

  53. rico says:

    He was AK, and Oliver was right, keep the comments quiet and focus on the pitch, i’m glad they are all cutting back a bit…

    Especially Wenger……

    Haven’t heard from Oliver, thought he might have popped on every now and again 🙁

  54. adam says:

    Kev. The Ark is in Hermon Hill. Do you drive in from New Romney every day? That is is quite a schlepp. You mean Charlie Brown’s roudabout. Just drove round there a half hour ago on my way back from a strange world called the Marks and Spencers Food Hall.

  55. allezkev says:

    Yeah bit suprised Rico. He seemed to love the chat on here.
    Hope he’s ok….

    Coach, in London traffic, i am King…. 🙂

  56. devilgunner says:

    Scott….that is interesting mate.

    Hope you manage to get the first certificates. And then who knows. Take one step at a time.

    Goody for you to be able to transmit to young kids your message. Not many youth coaches manage to do that and the worst thing is that I have seen some who think that they have Milan, Barca, Real whatever teams when they have only 7 or 8 year old kids.

    Just one small piece of advice….assess your kids first and then start from their strengths. Do not force them. Let them develop gradually. And be happy when they have learned something you have taught them. THEY WILL NEVER REMEMBER THE WINS…BUT THEY WILL SURELY REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE MADE THEM FEEL SPECIAL.

    And you would have made a difference in the life of a child. That is an honour greater than any cup you can win.

  57. rico says:

    Hi devil,

    Keown
    Bould
    Adams
    Bergkamp
    Henry

    Any really but Keown/Bould is my fav choice…

    Knowing our luck it will be Grimandi 😉

  58. allezkev says:

    Mark & Sparks Adam. You are appearing more posh by the second… 🙂
    Ah well i know it around there then. Can’t place the Ark though.
    That’s it Charlie Brown’s. Tesco’s is just around the corner.
    Bolton have just arrived at the St Pancras Hotel.
    Just seen Ryo & his mates.

  59. devilgunner says:

    Now offski to training.

    I am looking to whack a few yiddoes at the club this evening. Screw their necks and all that. And I have got a couple of mates who are AFC.com personified. We will really stick the knife in.

  60. allezkev says:

    Ryo looks great. He’s not a big guy. But he is gonna be a star.
    Rico, i just move in the right circles… 🙂

  61. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hooha Gooners,

    Merlin you Grandmaster Statistician. Next time I bring my crossbow, flamethrower, AK47 and Sadam’s weapons of mass destruction to slay this 5 heads dragon. Great post though some names are really obscure. I know they hold financial value but history-wise they should erased from our memory. That is Jeffers for example.

  62. devilgunner says:

    Good evening mates. Just back and soon off to sleep.

    Just remembered that a few weeks ago someone said that our squad was inferior to the scum from the slum. I replied that with the exception of Bale (minus the shenannigans) only I would not put any1 from the scum team in our team. And I still feel that way. I still think that player for player we are more superior. Even if they finish above us. Remember, when I said that statement we were about the thirteenth place early in the league. And my belief still holds.

  63. rico says:

    Hi DG and devil…

    Jeffers was a shocker 😆

    devil, they might have an odd one or two that could make our bench 😉

  64. devilgunner says:

    Nah Rico. I do not think any of them can improve our current squad. Even if they are just there to give strength in depth. For me any one who simply signs for the scum from the slum is already low on self esteem or has a super ego who is way beyond comprehension. And we do not want those at AFC. I presume that Bendy himself and the scum would be a perfect match.

  65. DutchGooner10 says:

    Evening Rico. I was totally bamboozled by his fee. Some names didn’t even register on my recognition for their contribution to our club. 🙁 😉

  66. Scott From Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Lovely morning it is down under.
    Devil,my best moment as a coach…don’t laugh.
    In a game last year,I think we were up by 8 or 9.
    There was a little girl for the opposition who’d run around the whole game without touching the ball once.
    I gave her a penalty……obviously for no reason,and there are no penalties at this age anyway,but hey,I had the whistle!!!
    She duffed it three times,but nailed the fourth…a strike Arteta would’ve been proud of.
    She did two laps of the pitch squealing and with her arms in the air.
    I figured she’d forget the loss,but always remember that goal,and on the back of that,she’d play again this year.
    It was a brilliant scene.
    Is there any possibility at all Wenger will bring his mate in from Japan(I think he’s Croatian) as his 2IC,then ease himself out of the picture???
    I’m not hoping for it,just raising the topic.

  67. DutchGooner10 says:

    Devil the scum got served for their contempt. Quite a few of the lot were presumptuous enough to wear mockups T-shirts with ‘ Mind the Gap!!’. Hahaha what prophetic words indeed.

  68. rico says:

    devil, i wouldn’t mind friedel as our second keeper 😉

    DG – you are showing your age about not knowing a few, or is it more like they were just rubbish and none of us know who they were/are 😉

  69. Scott From Oz says:

    Another one,outside the square.
    Is it feasible to set up a deal with Bolton to supply 4 or 5 kids each season?
    They’d need to be kids with quality on full season deals.
    Bolton aren’t exactly flush,so this would help them knowing its players they don’t need to purchase.
    Coyle seems to have a magic wand when it comes to our kids playing there,so we’d know fairly quickly if they’re Arsenal quality.
    It’s much,much cheaper than setting up an Arsenal B side.
    It would assist our kids who,though technically brilliant,could use some hardening up.
    I’m sure there are negatives,buts its just a thought.
    The last thing we want is for Bolton to be relegated.
    The success with Jack may have been seen as a one off,but Ryo is just flying,and showing his real quality….something we may not have seen for another year or two had it not been Owen and Bolton.

  70. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico,I’d have put cash on you raising Friedel lol.
    As Devil keeps banging on about,kids must be having fun.
    It’s true.
    I am obviously proud of the kids,and proud of how they play,but I hope nobody thinks I’m pushing them.
    We’ve started pretty early this year,so I’m having no training this week.
    The kids are dirty on me,but its a long season for 6. Y.o’s.

  71. rico says:

    Good idea Scott – truly hope Bolton stay up this season, Coyle is a good man, and a good manager….

    There is something about his traing methods which our players really benefit from….

    Just hope they stay up this season….

    Oh, and with the dreadful Fabrice situation, he has been a true champ!

  72. DutchGooner10 says:

    Scott I would love a cooperation with Bolton, we use to have one with Germinal Beveren Belgium. Ebou emerged from that partnership. It seems AW has more confidence sending them to Spain or France but the ones that really find their mojo do come from loan deals with English based leagues.

  73. rico says:

    That’s me done folks, bit of corrie and e’enders and a cup of cocoa and off up the wooden ones for me….

    have a good day or night where ever you fine people are…

    Nighty from me…. 😛

  74. devilgunner says:

    I watch a lot of youth games Scott. Even children’s games. Pushing them in the right direction is not bad its good. But its how you push them. The end should never justify the means. But if you give them one target every two weeks……example..tell the child that you expect him to be able to dribble the ball past another child in the next two weeks and keep him practicing it then you would have pushed him in the right direction without pressure. When he does it tell him you expect him to continue to TRY it again, but give him another target. In that way he/she will learn more.

    Righto off guys. To dream that Joey Barton has been sent off in the first minute for swearing at the ref, then their goalkeeper thinks he is Almunia for around an hour and has the jitters, while their defenders go gung ho and Theo has an easy journey to goal and manages to score more in one hour than Torres, Carroll, Adam, Henderson and Nasri combined for us to win by about 10-0. 😉

  75. allezkev says:

    Took 5 Bolton players to Sloane St. Knew a couple of the faces but didn’t know their names.
    When i dropped them off i said ” Now i can tell my mates that i’ve had the cup winners in my cab”..
    One of them said ” I hope so” another said ” No chance “.
    So don’t hold out any hopes for a positive Bolton performance tomorrow!
    Oh, their destination? Dolce & Gabbana…
    Footballers eh.???

  76. DutchGooner10 says:

    Night Devil. Night Rico. Try jumping the sheep through hoops makes counting much more exciting.

  77. allezkev says:

    Rooney scored again…

    Robin needs another half~a~dozen to clinch the golden boot.
    Maybe a couple of hat~tricks..?
    City & Chavs would do…

  78. Scott From Oz says:

    AK,its a hard life.
    Devil,good advice as usual.
    Rico,I’m getting to know you.
    Dutch,its not only the kids we loan on England,its those going to top flight clubs in England.
    That may be because Wenger sends the creak of the crop to Premier League clubs though
    Off to work nowb,but will keep checking to see who’s around.
    AK’s usually good til the wee hours,and Merlin often checks in.
    Sleep well,fellow Gonners,if I don’t catch you before then.

  79. DutchGooner10 says:

    Evening AK thought Bikkemberg is the footieflash brand these days.

    RvP will keep a close eye on the golden boot list. It’s imperative to his negotiations this summer.

  80. DutchGooner10 says:

    Off for half an hour. Maybe back later. Otherwise enjoy the banana moon.

    Scott have a nice day.

  81. DutchGooner10 says:

    Any nocturnal creatures or city slickers awake??

    AK Shrek is habitual in getting his name on the score sheet. Still vividly remember his debut cracker against us in the dieing end of the game. I’m enough football fan to appreciate his development over the years. He’s done well to carve out a constant mentioning as world beater.

  82. Scott From Oz says:

    I’m always hovering around DG.
    I don’t think anyone could seriously knock his talent,but I’m glad he’s not at Arsenal.

  83. DutchGooner10 says:

    Upgunners Nani is reason enough to gob. Rest a sure my disgust for the Devils is never-ending till my last gasp for air. 🙂

    Scott agree he’s a bit hillbilly with his preference for toothless grannies. I like the fact that we select on general intelligence as well as skills and talent. That’s why I’m glad we hoofed Bendy he’s a notorious headline creator.

  84. Scott From Oz says:

    O have always liked Bendtner as a player,and felt played as the main man up front hed have showed his worth.
    Having said that,good riddance to him.
    He’s proven time and again what a tosser he is.
    A Stoke,Bolton or Sunderland would do well to grab him,as he’s suited to their style of play.

  85. DutchGooner10 says:

    Scott I really wouldn’t take a piss at him if the fluids were exiting his head when he played. Truth is for his ability he was slacking. When he plays internationals he regularly grabs a good performance.

    Think it’s a right call that mid-table teams play more to his style.

  86. DutchGooner10 says:

    I used to admire his ability to hold off defenders when long balls were played allowing the team to move up their line when pressed. But with back to goal there must be a implicit threat you can create chances on your own drawing more bodies in to shore up security creating space for on rushing teammates. Besides I wasn’t always happy with his distribution after he done well to contain possession up front. Giving away the ball when our backline moved forward leaving space for counter style opponents.

    Offski now. Catch you 2morrow Scott. Night.

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