Daily Bits and Bobs

Do the lower divisions offer hope for the future or an immediate solution?

Posted on by rico

Imagine the following AFC team trotting out of the tunnel up one day….

Casillas, Alves, Pique, Chiellini, Cole; Xavi, Essien; Ronaldo, Fabregas, Messi; RVP.

Coached by Arsene Wenger and playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Facing them would be one of the pauper English club newly promoted to the premier league with the following players in a 4-3-3 formation…..Hart, Jenkinson, Baines, Shawcross, Cahill, Barry, Parker, Noble; Walcott, Milner, Bent.

Marvel of marvels the away team pulls off a shock result. A 1-0 victory at fortress Emirates after stifling their more illustrious opponents.

Now while it is to be accepted that the above AFC team is an imaginary one, I am sure many of us would like to see them trotting out of the tunnel at the home of football. Although the second team is a strong one if assembled at this moment in time it is vastly different than the one above it. Oh I forgot to mention that the promoted team manager was a certain George Graham who was brought over from Milwall the previous year and spent his first year assembling the clubs’ team.

There is one simple point which many may not spot at first glance. The team of stars which lost on the first day of the league contained players who were either nurtured at top academies around the world or were already super stars. The second team is made up of players who were either developed in the lower divisions or else were bought when they were unknown quantities.

Enough with fiction and fantasy teams so that we can consider more realistic matters.

So do AFC need to buy ready made players or else go and search in the lower divisions?

A long time ago, when the football world was ruled by the clubs and not by the players, famous managers such as Shankly etc, would go and buy players from the lower divisions and stick them for a year in the reserves until they grew accustomed to the team’s playing style. However that was a time when managers ruled the roost and it was rare for a manager to be sacked after a few games. Managers were given time to build a team and build the club for the future.

Today the advent of Television package deals and the internet has turned football into a global brand which generates millions of money. Such a situation has forced a rethink into the way football is being managed and the projection of a club’s image counts for much more than sane forward thinking does. People desire success in the here and now much more than they did in the past.

Going back just 25 years ago we remember GG being installed as AFC manager. The knowledge he gained from his experience with Milwall was used in the most effective manner. Out came his cheque book and he went to Stoke to get Dixon and Bould. He got Winterburn from Wimbledon (although they were playing at the top level, Nigel was bred and nurtured in the lower divisions). Marwood was signed from Sheffield Wednesday while Groves came in from Colchester.

While I agree that none of them achieved superstar status in the manner as they do today, however, they did give their all for the team. And they thought of the club first and foremost not of their pay packet. Dixon himself, a self confessed boyhood Man City fan, said the following in the Independent….”I was fortunate to play in an Arsenal back line that earned itself a reputation as being OK. I’m not trying to be overly modest in saying that, as individuals, we weren’t the best players in the world. But certainly all my weaknesses were compensated for by Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown and Steve Bould, and vice versa. If one of us wasn’t playing well, the others picked up the slack.”

Was that defence ok? You can bet it was. And they were not brought up or nurtured in a famous academy of a famous club. And they weren’t ready made superstars. They were humble people from humble origins which enabled them to stay humble for the remainder of their lives. And they loved the club. AND STILL DO.

So what do the lower divisions have to offer?

A few months ago Carl Jenkinson was playing his PSP on his bed, maybe imagining himself playing with his favourite club. Now he is playing at the highest level of football. In many ways his career is taking a similar path to that of Dixon. In their first season at the club both Lee and Carl were feeling their way in the team’s pattern. But like Lee, Carl is fast growing in his role and now many of us have taken to the boy and are willing him to succeed.

A quick look at the recent England under 21 squad and a quick chat with my friend AK had me reaching for the internet and more importantly Wikipedia to search who were Sordell, Butterfield, Dunk, Clyne, Smith, Bennett, Butland, Rudd, Trippier, Spence, Smithies, Briggs, Mutch and Waghorn. Now I am not saying that they will all become superstars in the same level as Messi. However can they do a job? Can they grow into their role like Carl is doing? Should Arsene send scouts to look at them and buy them in the same manner as he did with Denilson, Song and Clichy? And then nurture them in the Arsenal way.

There are notable players who could be nurtured in such a way. Hewitt (Macclesfield), Hoban (Watford), Nick Powell (Crewe) and Matt Lecointe (Plymouth). They are still young. But I bet that if they are given the right coaching education and nurtured with the same gloves which were offered to players like Denilson and Bendtner they might make it in the same way as legends like Dixon and Bould did.

And oh there is also Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. Is he from the famed la Masia? More like from Southampton FC academy from a division or two down the ladder.

So do the lower divisions offer hope for the future?

My answer would be YES. What answers will our esteemed readers give? I am itching to find out………….!!!!!

Written by Devilgunner

rico

227 thoughts on “Do the lower divisions offer hope for the future or an immediate solution?”

  1. rico says:

    Morning All

    Cracking post DG, a topic close to my heart, I think it was back this summer when someone here (he/she is not here anymore) suggested we should be aiming to buy class players but without breaking the bank, even the likes of Kevin Doyle was not deemed not to be good enough at the time.

    My view is that if a player has it in them, it matters not where they come from, nor what division – they will make it if they are meant to.

    Lower division teams are full of ‘harder’ players, something which we lack imho.

  2. Potter says:

    Good points, we do seem throughout the Wenger years to have used a telescope for scouting and ignored the ones closer to home. I am not one that says we need British grit , if foreign players are good enough then let them play, but I have always thought that the talent is here , it just needs development. People will argue that English players come at a premium but we are quite used to spending on French and African p[layers so similar sums in England should not put us off.

  3. goonster says:

    Hmmmmmm DG,that’s two in two my man. You really have raised the bar. Wait for it. You ll be reading my post during the next interlull(whenever that is). Great post though. Keep it coming. Morning HH.

  4. devilgunner says:

    Morning guys and chicks.

    Thanks for your kind words.

    There are other issues why AW may not buy british. Maybe its the spoilt character of today’s generation? Maybe its the attitude of the british players???

    There is another one I think may be close to the mark. When you buy from English clubs you are paying them money. Thus you are strengthening their hand to buy with that money and therefore with your money you are helping the knife which can strike you. So go out and buy from a foreign club which will not hurt you. We paid 8 million for Kozzer……to Lorient. Can they hurt us??? No.

    Just a thought. I might be wrong of course.

  5. rico says:

    Morning Potter and goonster

    the so called better english players come very expensive, just because they are english, just look at how much we paid for Theo and Chamberlain. But for every expensive one there has to be quite a few that wouldn’t be in that kind of price range.

    I think Wenger is a little blinkered and thinks that only the overseas players can play ‘his’ kind of football and hence spends more time sending scouts abroad.

    As you say potter, maybe it’s time to start scouting a little closer to home, I don’t think the restrictions within the UK are in place anymore are they?

    How many overseas ‘kids’ have we got on our books?

  6. goonster says:

    Morning rico….seen joel campbell’s goal yet? Whoa, that kid is something else. I can’t wait to see him in red and white soon. Perhaps wenger ll revert to 442. Robin playing the bergy role while campbell tear the opposing teams to shred. Am so exited. And hey the fooking interlull is over and I get to see my darling team. COYGS.

  7. devilgunner says:

    but why not play it now the 4-4-1-1 Goonster?? We can do it with a midfield of Song and Arteta in the centre, Ramsey on the right and Benayoun on the left. RVP just behind Gervinho. Plan B could be 4-3-3 with an attack of RVP, Gervinho and Theo.Arshavin can give RVP a breather in a 4-4-1-1 while the team can be changed quickly. If England vs Spain could go from 4-4-1-1 to 4-1-4-1 to 4-3-3 during the transition of the ball from defence to midfield to attack why cant AFC???

  8. rico says:

    Morning DG

    That is a good point but, buying from the lower leagues wouldn’t really be hurting us either, some, maybe even most will not ever make it into the PL and were we to sign their better players we would be making them weaker in any case?

    Clubs from the lower leagues can’t ask for a vast amount of money for what would be consider an unproved player…

    Win, win I say 😉

  12. goonster says:

    Go check it out maam its worth seeing. The technique and execution? Henry-esque. This little man will go places. just hope robin ll be here next season to put him through.

  13. rico says:

    For me, we should play what is believed to be the right system to face the opposition, not just play a formation each week regardless of who we face.

    With this side, it doesn’t tend to matter how we set up, if we are in a mood to score, we end up with every player up front, left back included 😮

    Re Campbell, he may be scoring right now but i’m going to wait until he gets his visa before i get too excited, the way most of our applications go, that could be another couple of seasons….

  14. rico says:

    This is interesting…

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S cash reserves have dropped by £87million and the club is still more than £400m in debt.

    Yesterday’s figures for the three months from July to the end of September showed the club’s reserves had fallen from £151.7m to £65m compared to the same time last year.

    The club debt has actually fallen over the last year from £516.7m but it remains at £433.2m.

    The fall in cash reserves comes mainly from £47.1million spent on players.

    Other big expenditure has come with the owners buying back £23.1m of bonds they issued to ease the debt.

    In the six years the Glazers have owned United, more than £400m has been spent servicing the debt they saddled the club with when they bought it.

  17. W.A.T.H says:

    Interesting Rico and then Krunky says what a great job the glazers have done…. ??? delusional twit…!
    We gotta be very careful that yank of ours doesn’t come up with a scheme to saddle us with debt to pay off what he borrowed to buy us….!

    Don’t trust him fuck all….!

  18. W.A.T.H says:

    Sorry, morning all.

    Good post DG, in many respects English lower lge players are still kick bollock and bite BUT there are still ones with great technique who could go places if taught properly, these players need to be taken a chance with and its not what we have tried to do at all, don’t wait til they in a 1st team and we get hit with a 10million fee get them when we see youth games etc etc…! surely some are worth a punt for a million if the likes of denilson et al are worth buying and sticking with for 3/4 years..?

  19. goonster says:

    Nope am in phuket remember? Am currently sun bathing. While a hot thai girl rubs lotion on me. This is the life mama. Am never going back to work. Yeaaahhh.

  23. rico says:

    Morning Wath,

    I don’t trust our American shareholder, not one bit and as you say, to congratulate the glazers on what they have done is bizzare, smacks in the face of all he says about our ‘model’…. You know i wan’t AU in….

    or someone else who will both look after our club and look after the team too….. not someone who wants to squirrel away all the funds for his/her own gain….

  25. goonster says:

    Hey rico….where’s my comment. And why the hell am I on moderation. WATH should be in moderation not me. He’s crazy..

  28. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico.
    DG, an average post….. 😉

    Nah, it was quality… 🙂

    Dare i say it, but are all our players fit after the Interlull..??????
    That must be a first…!

  29. allezkev says:

    Morning Stan…….
    Or is it afternoon in Phuket?

    Thank God all that International rubbish is over, now we can get back to some real football.

  31. goonster says:

    Like I care rico…am done with that dumb ass job anyway. I need something I could sink my teeth into…..hmmmmm maybe I ll take your job.

  33. goonster says:

    Hi ya AK…you can say that again. If I see your national team one more time am gonna lose it. Who wants to see that fat bloated son of a cow lampard or his two faced back stabbing captain terry running around in circles. Bring back the boys ib red and white.

  36. rico says:

    Forget M’Vila then …

    ARSENAL are preparing a £10million bid for Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue.

    Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants the France Under-21 star after being priced out of his top target — £25m-rated Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila.

    The 6ft 2ins Capoue, 23, can play as a defensive midfielder or in the back four and has scored three goals in 11 games this season.

    He is currently out for a month after suffering a head injury in training.

  37. devilgunner says:

    Wasted????? you are well and truly washed Goonster!!!!!

    Vin de Phuket. Makes your dreams and desires come true.

    Where is AGAG????

  38. devilgunner says:

    Capuoe is good. Mark my words. He is not in the same mould as M’vila however he is a better scorer than him.

  39. allezkev says:

    Stan, whose your national side?

    Hi Rico, really interesting post from DG.
    If Jenkinson has proved anything, it is that we have as much talent as Ligue Un, all they need is some guidance and some time to develop.
    For example, Arsenal have got Galindo, Botelho, Wellington and Campbell, and they all may make the grade.
    But what’s the point of signing someone, whose gonna spend 3 or 4 years abroad before we can use him…
    I’d rather take a chance on a couple of players from MK Dons, i’ve heard they’ve got some tasty talent at their club

  40. allezkev says:

    Rico, i suspected as much, when we didn’t get M’Vila in the summer.
    Arabia City, RM, Chavs show interest and the price doubles.
    Likewise Hazard, don’t think we’ll get him either or Gotze for that matter.
    But there’s still plenty of talent out there, Mancini can’t buy everyone.
    Financial Fair-Play; HAHAHAHAHAHSAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

  43. rico says:

    I agree AK, both re the post and your own view – similar to what i said to goonster earlier, what is the point in getting excited about Campbell or anyone else too much when they are abroad?

    Or we are doing is paying a wage to a player we have to wait for ages to see in an arsenal shirt?

    How much are we paying Wellington, and he’s not even playing, he’d rather be out spending all his money to fill his belly…. 😉

  44. goonster says:

    I told y’all we won’t be getting all them players but you guys didn’t believe me. Now, take a huge breathe, go get a drink, relax and listen…..we ll only ne signing a player and his name is esteban granero. Goetze,hazard,m’villa won’t happen its just a ploy to throw all off the real target. Watch this space.

  46. rico says:

    Hi ESP, we can’t lose sight of that is from The Sun 😆

    You got a headache this morning after all that celebrating 🙂

  47. devilgunner says:

    Capoue is a tough tackling midfielder who is over 6 ft tall. He is renowned for his tough no nonsense tackling and last season alone had tallied 17 yellows but no reds. He can play defensive midfielder or all along the back four. He has represented France up till under 21 however Lassana Diarra and M’Vila have barred his progress to the national team.

    I think 8 million will get him.

  48. allezkev says:

    Jan Vertonghen for me Stan.
    Mind you, Arsenal never buy the players i want to buy.
    Right from Mike Channon, Peter Shilton, Bob Latchford etc, up to the present day….
    The last one Arsenal signed, who i really wanted at Arsenal, was TH14.

  49. devilgunner says:

    Sorry AK. Forgot about his injury. There are two conflicting reports regarding his injury.

    One is that he and another player jumped up to head the ball and he was concussed. Concussion takes around a fortnight to become completely healed.

    The other report state that that he was involved in a scuffle with a man who was angry that about some girlfriend. I do not believe this report but it has been reported that the other man’s name was something like Phtan or Stan.

  50. goonster says:

    See what I mean kev….but hey granero is class though. I won’t be losing sleep if we didn’t sign hazard goetze et al. We need better Imho….a 25/26 year old would do for me. Enough of this kids who ll leave us in a couple of years. Haven’t we learned anything yet? A 26 year old player ll won’t be looking to leave anytime soon. We ll be his last pay day cause after then….its downhill for him! We ve got a lot of young uns coming up. Jack,ryo,afobe,campbell to mention a few.

  53. goonster says:

    Mine was MATA…..and I did lose a few pounds after he chose those barbarian hordes. Oh well am over him now. Cause we ve gervinho!

  54. EastSidePaul says:

    Hey Rico! Great result last night, but i’m afraid I was up studying first thing in the morn so was unable to celebrate I’m afraid! :(.

    I think Granero would be a good fit into the team!

  56. rico says:

    goonster, what national team to you support through the interlull?

    Esp, hey ho, have to make sacrifices sometimes, won’t take away the fantastic achievement though eh, Robbie Keane was certainly a happy chap last night….

    Still cannot believe the spuds let him go…..

  57. W.A.T.H says:

    Last player I got excited about signing was as DG says god himself… The one and Only DB10

    We need to rename Goonster Ginster or Beerster I think !!

  60. devilgunner says:

    Seems as if W.H.A.T. has also changed someone’s name…GINSTER. Next time make it spinster mate. He likes girls, especially single ones. And they are called spinsters. So Ginster the Spinster. lol

  69. Ginster the Spinster Letch says:

    DG you cheeky devil…..rico’s gonna own your ass after that slip. Ban the devil rico,ban the devil!

  75. goonster says:

    Rico! What happened to my comment? I didn’t swear did I? Come on WATH and DG on here yet you chose to “delete” my comment. These guys are worse….I learnt from them!

  76. W.A.T.H says:

    What comment Stan….? It’s not always Rico, if you said the “C” word sometimes wordpress then will boot you for no reason for a while with your comments…!

  77. rico says:

    Ah, but my key is bigger Wath 😉

    goonster, it went into spam, and it stays there because you wrote the ‘c’ word several times….

  80. W.A.T.H says:

    Stan if you had learned anything from me its be subtle 😀

    You can’t say the “C” word you must be clever…!

    Ok Rico, you may have a bigger key…. but I got bolt cutters 😉

  81. goonster says:

    I didn’t use no goddamn “c” word….sheesh. Get rid off that doohickey. The stupid thing’s just sending me comments to spam. What am I gambon?

  83. Micko says:

    Afternoon all, good read devil.
    Perry groves was george grahams first buy as arsenal manager, he earned £350 a week, how times have changed.

    If you want a really good read i recommend his book, very funny, covers his time with us from 1986-91 and has a couple of cup finals and championship winning campaigns thrown in for good measure, happy days.
    Right, i’m off for a bit of tiffin.

  91. Joaquim Moreira says:

    good morning!
    you talk about a new player for January? Probably make sense someone who can plays in CL for us.
    Back to work

  93. devilgunner says:

    Gd point by Moreira. M’vila cannot play CL for us. But Capuoe can!!

    Personally Capoue is my style. M’vila although strong and an international is not my favourite. He plays for France. But so does Diaby if he manages to raise himself from the bed. Kozzer never played for France before but now he has.

  94. allezkev says:

    ‘Ere where’s ‘cornish pasty’ gone?

    And what’s all this about Rico & Wath comparing the size of their keys [or something like that]… 😉

  95. allezkev says:

    Anybody notice how JM is always working…. or so he says.
    I bet he’s on a beach somewhere with a pina colada in one hand a gelado in the other and some sexy Portugese bird rubbing oil into his back.
    He’s HH’s Special One….. 😀

  99. devilgunner says:

    Forget him AK and Rico. Its Ancelotti I want. After Capello he is the tops. Want to know if Mancini is good?? Put him in charge of a mid-table team and see what he does. Capello and Ancelotti did it with mediocre teams, with good teams and with great teams. And they have won leagues in different countries. That is enough.

    Capello is George Graham with more tenacity. Ancelotti is George Graham with an influx of Arsene Wenger.

  100. rico says:

    I don’t want him at Arsenal DG, speculatuion is he is going to return to teh chavs in some capacity…. I just think it will be fun watching whatever happen, happen….

    We don’t need a manager, we have one 😉

  103. allezkev says:

    You know, in all seriousness [is that a word?] i haven’t got a ‘scooby’ whose gonna take over from Wenger?
    I’m glad i don’t have to make that decision.
    But if Wenger has any say, it’s probably some one we’ve never heard of or if we have, certainly have never considered them…
    Remi Garde for example….. 💡

  104. allezkev says:

    I suppose if we look back, the closest to create a dynasty as Wenger has, is Herbert Chapman.
    After his untimely death in 1934 Arsenal had a succession of 4 managers, who all had connections to the Great Man.
    George Allison…. ex-Director
    Tom whittaker….. ex-Trainer
    Jack Crayston….. ex-Player
    George Swindin…. ex-Player

  105. rico says:

    I’m hoping it’s Koewn and DB Kev – someone who has our club in their blood – or Van Basten and Keown with DB working with the youth/reserves with Bouldy…

    Something like that 😉

    Not Remi bloody Garde 😉

  106. allezkev says:

    OK Ok Ok…….. blimey, don’t get all aggressive…
    I’m like my older brother Wath, i’m very sensitive.. 😉
    Keown sounds good. But he has to prove himself first Rico.
    Remember that we used to talk about Tony Adams becoming Arsenal manager one day.
    And in a perfect world Tony would be Wenger’s No.2, learning the ropes.
    Not sure Gabala is gonna prepare him for an EPL job?!
    Bergkamp/Van Basten sounds good to me. Ajax trained.

  107. rico says:

    me aggresive 🙁

    😉

    i’d really like to see keown in there somewhere, even if he just does the coaching for the defence…

    I’d love Adams too, but he needs to be in england rather than wherever he is ….

  111. rico says:

    Park – I’m in the right condition now

    By Chris Harris

    Ju Young Park believes he is approaching his peak after adapting to a new life in England.

    The South Korea captain returns to London this week after another successful international break during which he scored in his fifth consecutive appearance for his country.

    Park got off the mark at Arsenal last month with the winner against Bolton in the Carling Cup but, like any overseas signing, he has needed time to settle. A lack of summer training did not help but the 26-year-old feels in good condition now.

    “I couldn’t train much for about two months before I moved here,” he told Arsenal Player. “I just had to do some personal training instead.

    “Since I joined the team it has been two months and I feel like I am in my normal condition now. The coaches adjust the training depending on the games we play and it’s good.

    “I am settling off the pitch as well,” Park added.” All the Arsenal staff and everyone else have helped me. Also my wife is here so I don’t have many problems settling down.

    “Personally I don’t like a loud and noisy atmosphere, I prefer a very quiet life. And I live in a very quiet area in London so I really like it.

    “It’s pretty good, I don’t have any problems living here and I am not a fussy eater so I don’t have problems with the food either!”

  113. rico says:

    Sanchez Watt says self-belief is behind his excellent start to the season with Arsenal Reserves.

    The 20-year-old is on a prolific run for Neil Banfield’s team, failing to score in just one of his eight appearances this term after adding another in the win over Norwich on Tuesday.

    Watt recently signed a new deal with the Club and believes his current form can take his Arsenal career to the next level.

    “It’s a bit more about confidence and the players I’m playing with at the moment,” Watt told Arsenal.com. “We’re all pushing each other and obviously I’m now getting chances that I’m taking.

    “I have good partnerships with a lot of players in the team at the moment. We all want to work for each other, and they’re giving me great balls right now. I just have to finish them.

    “The next step for me is trying to push myself more into the boss’ mind so I can either get on the bench or play in any way I can,” he added. “Even going out on loan, playing every game. I just have to work hard for my chance.

    “I’ll do whatever is best. Obviously I have already spoken to the boss and he knows what’s best for my career. Football is what I love to play and that is what I want to do.”

  114. goonster says:

    Fecking hell remi who? Isn’t he a nigerian? No way. Afternoon guys. Am sad by the way. Would be leaving phuket tomorrow. Bummer.

  117. Lee says:

    Micko, I havent got a feckin clue….but I’d like to of had a half of what goonster’s been slurping!!
    People changing names as well….

  119. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Hello again
    Why rico? We have three hard weeks ahead but we must play in Norwich with our best team and all those who give us more level confidence. Then, on Tuesady again. it’s my opinion. Watt and Park are two players of our squad. If they have chances, give them the opportunity.
    I’m going to rest a little bit.

  122. Micko says:

    rico, it will be interesting to see if kozzer keeps his place saturday, norwich play the same way as west brom, merts may be rested for dortmund on wednesday, nice problem to have.

  123. stevepalmer1 says:

    What a good post, I can remember when scouts turned up for grass roots football games when i played, and everybody would try their dambdest. Not many of our lot made the grade but lots of others did, I remember years ago if a player was brought in he looked as if he was thrown in at the deep end, shit or bust i think the term was, and a lot of good players benefitted, those players i must say were between eighteen a forty. It seems nowadays they are looked at before they are born and that seems to be the trouble, if your not discovered by 7 or 8 you wont be. nice one DG

  124. rico says:

    Good question Micko and yes, makes a nice change to have such a ‘problem’ – maybe TV will get a rest a Merts and Kos play, personally i’d stick with the side that played west brom…

    Hi Steve….

    Is the 50 mile (or whatever) rule still in for scouting in england?

  126. rico says:

    Ha ha Steve, I thought it had been done away with… But that ruling no doubt explains why we don’t go after kids in Britain, we have not been allowed to…

  128. goonster says:

    Remi garde played for us rico? When? Dang, there’s a whole lot of things I don’t know about the arsenal.

  129. stevepalmer1 says:

    1996 he joined the same time as viera, Wenger recomended him to the Arsenal wenger was seeing out his time at Grampus eight before joining us

  130. rico says:

    He wasn’t the best was he Steve 😉

    🙂 goonster, trust me, there’s a whole lot of stuff I don’t know too, that’s the good thing about blogging, we all learn something….

  131. rico says:

    How many do you know of goonster 😉

    Close Season Transfer Activity 1996/97

    In: Patrick Vieira (midfield) from AC Milan (ITA) (3.5 million)
    Remi Garde (midfield) from Strasbourg (FRA) (free)
    John Lukic (goalkeeper) from Leeds United (free)

    Out:

    Squad for 1996-1997 Season

    1. David Seaman (England international goalkeeper)
    2. Lee Dixon (England int right back)
    3. Nigel Winterburn (England int left back)
    4. Patrick Vieira (French U21 international midfielder)
    5. Steve Bould (England int central defender)
    6. Tony Adams (England captain, centre half, club captain)
    7. David Platt (England international midfielder)
    8. Ian Wright (England int forward, last term’s top scorer)
    9. Paul Merson (England int midfielder, reformed bad-boy)
    10. Dennis Bergkamp (Dutch international forward)
    11. Glenn Helder (Dutch int left winger)
    12. Andy Linighan (Eng B int central defender, brother of David)
    13. Vince Bartram (Reserve goalkeeper)
    14. Martin Keown (England int central defender)
    15. Ray Parlour (Eng U21 int midfielder with silly haircut)
    16. John Hartson (Welsh international striker)
    17. David Hillier (Eng U21 international midfielder)
    18. Steve Morrow (Northern Ireland int defender/midfield)
    19. Remi Garde (French former international midfielder)
    20. Chris Kiwomya (Striker, cover for Wright)
    21. Eddie McGoldrick (Irish int midfielder, also known as Shoot)
    22. Ian Selley (Eng U21 international midfield)
    23. Paul Dickov (Scotland U21 international forward)
    24. John Lukic (Reserve goalkeeper, 2nd stint at Highbury)
    25. Scott Marshall (Reserve centre half)
    26. Lee Harper (Reserve goalkeeper)
    27. Paul Shaw (Reserve striker)
    28. Stephen Hughes (Reserve midfielder)
    29. Adrian Clarke (Reserve striker/winger)
    30. Gavin McGowan (Reserve fullback)
    31. Matthew Rose (Reserve defender)

    Close Season Transfer Activity

    In: Nicolas Anelka (attack) from PSG (FRA) (0.5 million)

    Out: Eddie McGoldrick (midfield) to Manchester City ()
    Paul Dickov (midfield) to Manchester City ()
    Paul Shaw (midfield) to Peterborough United ()
    Andy Linighan (defence) to Crystal Palace (0.25 million)
    John Hartson (attack) to West Ham United (3.5 million)

  132. stevepalmer1 says:

    He was thirty years old and stayed 3 seasons but had dodgy knees but he won a couple of trophies if i remember right

  135. rico says:

    PL and FA Cup I think, spot on re his knees, he retired from footie shortly after leaving us – bit like Edu really…..

  139. rico says:

    It’s funny what you stumble accross when checking things, a site said back in 1996 that Arsenal were in desperate need of a new left back, as the aging and now slow Nigel Winterburn was passed his best….

    Four seasons later he left us for West Ham…..

  140. rico says:

    Nah Steve, just goes to show that the web doesn’t always get it right, two different sites, two different answers 😉

  142. goonster says:

    Guys I hear our match at norwich is a lunch time kick off..how true is that? Me and this thai dude got arguing about the time. He seem to think its lunch time….hahahahah. What a dope.

  144. rico says:

    Suarez has been charged by the FA for the Evra incident 😛

    They will be crap without him when he serves his ban 😉

  149. rico says:

    I am Steve, i am thrilled – if he gets a ban, and we carry on the way we are doing, we can overtake them – and I don’t like Suarez that much, great player but a cheat…

    goonster – i don’t like Evra much either but in this one particlar incident he has done nothing wrong…

  150. goonster says:

    I haven’t forgiven him for that jibe rico…little prick calling us kids! Let me at him for a few minutes and I ll show him who’s a kid. Sniveling little bastard. Him and all his manure crew!

  152. rico says:

    It’s all game play goonster – and to be honest, who gives a toss what he says? All players and managers play mind games before they face eachother….

    And Wenger is as bad as the rest…

    I know this will cheese many off, but out of the usual top four-six, if we can’t win the PL, i’d rather Manure did than the chavs, dippers, scum and now Citeh….

  153. devilgunner says:

    Hiya WEBSTER I M Back.

    Good evening ye guys and chicks of the gunner’s faith. May the peace of the world be with you.

    Truly and truly I say unto thee…..abstain from alcohol and do not let the weakness of the flesh get the better of you. Rather you should turn to art Father in heaven and pray for the deliverance from the money spinners of Manure, shitty and the chavs.

  155. goonster says:

    Great now I have seen everything….devil praying to God! These are really the end times. DG, are you feeling alright!

  157. allezkev says:

    Rico, i’m not sure about playing the same team against Norwich.
    I’m not 100%, but i think that they have a few big’uns in their team.
    But no speed merchants, so maybe Big Mert is the man for that game…?!

  158. goonster says:

    Manure for the 21st title? No way mama bear. I ll rathrf the scousers if we don’t win it. I ll never wish any good thing to those abominable scums. I ll rather they die out or better still ‘arry runs them into the ground like he did southampton and portsmouth. I hate those turds more than cockroaches and man I do hate cockroaches!

  159. allezkev says:

    Interesting Squad that 1996-97.
    Out of 31 players, 22 were English, how times change eh?
    I know that he wasn’t a favourite with a lot of fans, but i always liked Ian Selley.
    Injury killed his career. Bum knees.

  161. allezkev says:

    Disagree Stan, i’ll go with Rico.
    I can’t stand the Scosers, but then i had them rammed down my throat for 20 years.
    And we still have to put up with listening to Hansen, Lawrenson, Beglin on TV and Houghton [Mr Know-All] on the radio.

  162. rico says:

    Hi DG and Kev 😉

    I’m not sure who thay have playing for them these days but if they have big fellas up front then yes, def start with Merts and prob TV?

  164. rico says:

    Sorry goonster, i hate the dippers, with a passion too – can’t stand the chavs and i needn’t say how i feel about the scum….

  165. allezkev says:

    Norwich is gonna be a tough game Rico…
    They have a very smart manager, who has has two weeks to dream up a way of stopping Arsenal.
    Don’t get aggressive with me ;), but a draw wouldn’t be a bad result i reckon…

  166. rico says:

    Ditto Kev..

    I don’t like Manure and i am not very keen on Fergie but he has to be the greatest manager ever and some of his signings have been just world class – and look at how he dealt with the Ronaldo situation, evryone thought they would fall apart, same when Beckham left but only he could do what he did and still carry on winning….

    Can’t wait for him to retire though 😉

  167. goonster says:

    Well I hate the mancs more than the scums…..I ll never forget that toothie smiling bastard yorke all those years ago. When they whupped us 6:1. I was a young boy then just started supporting the arsenal. I won’t forget that day or the feeling after that match. I hate Ferguson giggs that short hairy ape faced albino scholes and hey kev your country man……roy keane! Have you ever seen a bigger c**t!

  168. allezkev says:

    Stan i’m not Irish mate.
    I don’t even like Guiness [ sorry Mick 😉 ]
    You must have had a few pints yourself pal.
    You’re gonna start forgetting things you’ve said if your not carefull.
    Just chill-out, take it easy…

  169. devilgunner says:

    Confessional??? No mates. Just happened to see a repeat of Bruce Almighty. Every time I see it I crack my sides laughing. Even though I have seen it time and again.

    Personally I think that if AW selects a balanced team than we will get a win. I still would go for 4-4-1-1 in the first half and then switch to 4-3-3 in the second. I would put AA and Gervinho up front and then in the 55th minute change to 4-3-3 and put on TW and RVP in place of AA and Yossi.

    I would go for PM04 and TV05 for this one. They have Holt and Vaughan upfront. Holt is 6ft and has a record of 1 goal every two games for Norwich. He is the captain and therefore he is expected to play. Vaughan is also 6 ft however he has not played much this season and has no goals yet. Then there is also Wilbraham who is sharing it out with Vaughan. However he is 6ft 3 and if he plays we do need Merte.

    It might be that AW starts with TV05 and with LK06. I think that Norwich will go with one forward not two in a 4-5-1 formation.

  170. allezkev says:

    Roy Keane, btw Stan, was/is a psycho.
    But i wish he had played for Arsenal.
    Likewise Scholes and Giggs ‘The Philanderer’…

  171. rico says:

    goonster – i cannot believe that you could hate any side more than the scum…. you must be the only arsenal fan who feels that way…….

  172. devilgunner says:

    You remember 1989 and all the stuff that went with it guys??? We walloped Norwich 5-0 to tell them gently that they were out of the hunt for the league title.

    Here’s for another gentle reminder to them.

    We will win handsomely 4-0.

  173. rico says:

    kev, i think you are spot on, norwich, despite what a few think, will be no walk over, they are doing well and they would have been fed well before the match by Delia 😉

    A draw would be a dreadful result but a loss would be even worse 😉

  174. goonster says:

    Sorry kev….meant mick. Well I love guiness. Can’t wait to get me a pint. I guess I ll get one now. Be back in a bit guys. The bottles are calling me.

  178. goonster says:

    Yes rico cause to me the scums are well the scums. They are just as useful as a bag of fart. They are forever in our shadows. Giving them serious thought is likened to a sin against God! Scums are scums. Period!

  179. allezkev says:

    Don’t get me wrong Rico, we need a win to keep cutting the gap with the teams above.
    But as you say a defeat would be disasterous and we’re not totally recovered emotionally from our awfull start.
    The confidence is returning but it’s still paper-thin.
    At least a draw would keep the unbeaten run going.
    All the same, i hope that DG is right…

  181. goonster says:

    A draw against norwich! Are you guys serious! We ll wipe the floor with those hordes. Wait for it. Am with DG 4:0 to the arsenal!

  183. rico says:

    Guys…

    I just really want to thank you all, this break has been a dull one yet again and writing posts during the international two weeks is a real hard time for me –

    However, you, and you know who you are have made this the easiest ever, I can’t remember when I last wrote a post, maybe thats why the comments are up.. 😉

    Whilst you are all here, thank you so very much for all your help, I can’t thank you all enough but, should we all meet up one day at the nearest pub to The Emirates, I promise the first round is on me, and probably all that follow too……

    As long as it’s 2pm on a Saturday when we KO at 3 😉

    Seriously, thank you all……

  185. devilgunner says:

    I still say that with a balanced team we will get a 4-0 win. It depends upon AW and how he manages the tactics. Remember that Jeninson, Santos, Gervinho, Arteta, Benayoun, played no part in the internationals. So that gives us 5. While RVP, MERTE,Koscielny, TV05, chesney, Djourou, Park and Song all played one game. Theo played started the two games however he only played a total of 100 minutes. So they are not exactly knackered are they.

  186. devilgunner says:

    Thanks Rico. Our pleasure. You have made us into a family and for that we are grateful.

    Webster get her a drink…..a beer or two. Get off your arse young fella and show us how ye should treat the ladies.

  188. goonster says:

    The question rico is…..have norwich watched us. Come on you guys. They ll attack us they ll leave spaces behind and we ll murder them. I saw them struggle for pace against villa. We ll win this one easily. 4:0 to the good guys.

  189. devilgunner says:

    They do not have much pace up front but they are mobile, especially the captain. But they stay compact as a team. But they will struggle against a team who has pace and that is why I would play Gervinho up front and introduce Theo and RVP later on.

  190. allezkev says:

    Your welcome Rico. I’ve really enjoyed it.
    From me, a bottle of ‘Old Peculiar’ stout.
    I luv that stuff.

  191. allezkev says:

    DG/Stan, they may decide to ‘park the bus’, even at home?
    We are not yet in a position where we can take anyone lightly…
    But as you rightly say DG, our squad is in the best condition it’s probably been, after an Interlull, that i can remember…

  193. rico says:

    Cheers DG, and have a cyber glass on me too…..

    Old Peculiar Kev, haven’t heard that for a year or too – talking of which, where’s wath 😉

  194. devilgunner says:

    I know what I said Webster…..Webster get her a drink…..a beer or two. Get off your arse young fella and show us how ye should treat the ladies.

  198. rico says:

    goonster, i just don’t think we should take three points for granted, they held the dippers to a 1-1 at Anfield….

    DG – i’d start with Theo but have the Ox waiting in the wings, a team like Norwich will be frightened of theos pace and that will keep on the back foot….

  200. devilgunner says:

    That is what you say Webster. Have you asked the lady in the proper latin manner??? With the proper charm??

    AK knows what I am talking about eh mate?

  201. allezkev says:

    I sure do DG… 😉
    Yes Rico, whatever we think of Theo’s end product, he scares the crap out of opponants.
    And Ox on the bench is a great shout.
    And Park instead of Chamakh…?

  202. allezkev says:

    Wonder when Diaby is gonna be fit..?
    He’s no favourite of mine, but another option for Wenger cannot be a bad thing…

    Rico, almost soap time isn’t it??? 😀

  203. devilgunner says:

    Webster, you should thank your lucky stars I am not single and anywhere near phuket or fuckit whatever it is because I will take all the buon gallinas and you will be left with the old chicks.

    Speaking of which…..where is AGAG????

    Webster is this your doing????

  206. devilgunner says:

    Mates go back to RICO 5.11 adn tell me which Arsenal player listed there is still playing today albeit lower leagues.

    Here’s a conundrum for you.

  208. devilgunner says:

    Dont try fighting latin charm Webster!!! you will get hit below the belt doing it.

    Still havent found the answer to the question mates???

  215. goonster says:

    DG you re from malta ain’t ya? How are the ladies. Maybe I ll have my next vacation on your island. You ll like that won’t ya!

  216. rico says:

    Kev – but ‘Arry is innocent, he has to be, he’s Englands next manager…..

    If found guilty, he should never be allowed to manage a football club again!

  217. devilgunner says:

    If you come in the summer get a container of sun block mate. If you’re white than with the sun you will become like a red tomato. And I can bet you that the maltese ladies will steer away from you.

    Maltese ladies are great, Especially the brunettes. There are some fake blondes but the brunettes are superb.

  219. devilgunner says:

    Paul is still 38 years old, He is player coach with an American team. Last year he was with Retford united. Now he is with FC new york.

  220. allezkev says:

    Yeah, we’re gonna have a Harry is Innocent campaign in The Sun, to protect their investment.
    Imagine Harry as England manager, tipping off The Sun and giving them ‘first dibs’ on any England related story.
    Yes
    Murdoch has invested a lot in Harry the Tax Dodger.

  221. rico says:

    Lord help Malta then goonster 😉

    Lester Piggott was the example set, let Arry follow him if guilty….

    The link you put up Kev was funny, or should i say i would be funny if it wasn’t so near the truth….

  222. allezkev says:

    I’m gonna do a Wath, have a little kip.
    Finished all the jobs in the garden today, it’s all done until Spring.
    Goodnight Rico,
    Goodnight DG/Stan….

  223. devilgunner says:

    I am off lads. Time to hug the pillow.

    Good night guys and gallinas.

    you are all great people who make the world a merrier place to live.

    Off to the wonders of the astral plane

  224. allezkev says:

    Yeah Rico, i always enjoy a butchers on Untold.
    Some of it’s a bit far-fetched, but it’s well written.
    The historical stuff is excellent.
    Gone now….

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