Morning all.
Following the exit of Robin van Persie from ManUtd, Arsene Wenger said:
I’m surprised that Robin van Persie goes to Turkey this summer, he’s a loss for English football because he’s an exceptional player, one of best I’ve managed, with an exceptional technique. I don’t know what happened, why he leaves, but he’s a loss to the Premier League.
The old badger responded:
People think there was an argument between us [Arsene Wenger]. On the contrary we always had a lot of respect for each other. I’m still talking to Arsene regularly now. He is a world class coach and manager and above all, a classy man.
If you’re Arsenal captain and top scorer and move to United, fans will be upset. I wanted to win the Premier League. But I had a very special time at Arsenal. Some might want to erase me from their history but no one can change the facts. I did score 132 goals for Arsenal, I did play close to 300 games. One year as captain.
Well he got his wish as he won the Premier League during Fergie’s last season but I bet right now he wishes he’d stayed at Arsenal and helped us to win the league. Plus he’d have had two FA Cup medals around his neck.
Instead, the man who signed him at Utd left and his career took a nose dive.
I’m surprised he didn’t hot foot it to the USA and sign a mega deal for one of the MLS sides because as much as he may say he wanted to win the league, money would have course played a big part. It always does in sport and especially football.
He was great for Arsenal in his final season and had he stayed, his goals may just have helped us win the league. We wouldn’t have signed Podolski had he stayed, probably not Giroud either but it would have been worth it had RvP scored the amount of goals for us as he did for Utd during his first season there.
He’s still only 31 years old and could easily still be scoring goals in the red and white of Arsenal FC but instead, the Turkish League awaits him and I bet he’s thrilled to bits to be there…
Feel sorry for him? Me neither as in this life, you reap what you sow.
Still, at least he’s got his PL medal to look at eh and he better make the most of it because I strongly suspect he won’t be adding any more medals to his collection….
Gossip and other stuff:
Theo Walcott wants to stay put which is good news, he says he’s calm about his contract situation and this bunch of players are the best he’s known at the club. Maybe he’ll get a PL medal around his neck come May 2016!
Edin Dzeko is linked to us in a few of the newspapers – no thanks!
Joao Moutinho is available on a free transfer which means he’s heading to Arsenal. Doh!
Oh, and according to El Confidential and repeated by The Metro, Karim Benzema is open to a move to Arsenal….
That’s it for Monday, have a great day guys and gals…
Lee, wasn’t there a significant wager between you and Scott re finishing above the Chavs… wasn’t it like 5p !?!?
RVP, wouldn’t pee on him if he was on fire… Wouldn’t mind his bank balance mind you so any sympathy for him is laughable.
Moutinho, yawn…
Dzeko, yawn…
RVP?
Does any Arsenal supporter really care anymore?
Walcott, what is your problem mate?
You pick up a pen, and you sign.
Your contract sagas really are becoming boring…
Good post Rico…
Me neither Wath..
If Flamini heads off to Turkey, for 4 million euros, It would be the first ever transfer fee of Flamini’s career, having signed for Arsenal, left to AC Milan and later returned to the Gunners in 2013 all in Bosman moves.
Says a lot doesn’t it…
Hi Wath, how’s things mate?
Karim Benzema welcome to arsenal
Thanks Kev, I wonder if it’s the club or Walcott holding things up?
Is AW waiting to see how fit he stays in pre-season?
For me it all seems simple, just sign the darn contract offered…
All good Kev, Hope you doing well and not ripping off to many punters in that golden carriage of yours….
As you say mate, it’s all rather boring but then again it always is during the transfer window…!
engjell – why welcome a player to Arsenal when he plays for Madrid?
Morning all.
Wath, I’ll shout him 5 pints when I’m over next 🙂
None of the guys mentioned will join Arsenal because of their age, Wenger prefer a long term player.
Maybe it was the little boy inside of Judas telling him to sign for Galatasaray…..Dutch wanker!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f8W-7FaufQ
Just watched the video of AOC and his choice of player from the past, cracking!
Ozil is incredible. Martin Tyler was really raving over him on Saturday, said he has a fantastic ‘lazy’ pass…
Ozil’s slight of foot reminds of Kev’s moon walking on the way to Dishoom, a sight to behold!
Rico I’m expecting a big season from Ozil, no world cup distraction at the start of this coming season
Delford, I’m no so sure. If the price is right I doubt age will bother AW… lol
I must keep an eye out for that next time Lee..
Mg, I think he is too.
I hear you kev, Walcotts contract sagas piss me right off. The guy (and his agents) think he is worth far more than he is and if he holds the club to ransom again this season Im turning right off the guy. None of our other big players have a problem Theo! Sign or go, and I dont care much which anymore.
Pop quiz: How many times since 2006 has Theo Walcott completed 90 minutes three games in a row?
Pop quiz 2: In 11 premier league seasons, how many times has Walcott scored 10+ goals?
Answers in 1 hour. The warm glow of Theo pride is your prize.
I just hope Theo isnt the reason why Wenger hasnt jumped for Lacazette yet…
Bonus question, how many times in his career has Walcott started more than half the games in the premier league season (ie 20+) ?
Poor Theo Roger… 😉
I have a few new moves to show you tomorrow Lee…. 😉
I was gonna show you my dance moves, the last time I saw you Rico, but I’m always on my best behaviour, when I’m around Mrs Adam…
No head in the toilet Kev…..
Not this time Wath.
Hopefully…
Next time Kev… lol
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Good one boss. you do keep churning them out. amazing.
imo the club should not be held to ransom by anyone, Theo or not. yes he is a good player but the club should give him an ultimatum. Sign up or be sold so that an adequate replacement can be found.
I hope Theo doesn’t sign until the last day of next season (when we win the league) as he always plays out of his skin when there’s a contract on the line and he’s in the shop window.
Brian
Thanks Devil.
Do we know if TW is holding the club to ransom though? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s already signed a new contract…
Roger/Coach, maybe the whole Lacazette ‘thing’ is a contingency plan, to replace Walcott, if the negotiations for his next contract, break down?
As for Benzema, that one might run all the way up to the transfer deadline…
Ha ha Brian..
And what happens if Theo’s talks continue after the TW and an impasse is reached and he walks away at the end of next season?
Aubemayang will be a year older and LAcazette might be parading for someone else.
as for Benzema dont get me started as he does not offer a different option to Ollie. I would rather AW spent the millions on Ronaldo and put him CF. The fee for Ronaldo would be paid with Ronaldo Tshirts in the first year alone.
Surely Benz offers more than Olivier??
On Theo, with quotes, like this ripper doozy:
Asked if he would be comfortable with talks dragging into the new season, he responded: “Definitely. It’s not in my thought process at all. You don’t want to dwell on it, you want to play well and if it happens it happens.”
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/19/theo-walcott-arsenal-deal-contract-talks
On 90k/week now, wants 100k, despite playing for 1/3 of the games since his last contract. #joker.
Quiz answers in 5 minutes
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/real-madrid-boss-rafa-benitez-6101433
So, Mr if it happens it happens. (Just like Walcott actually being fit)
QUIZ ANSWERS:
1) since joining Arsenal in 2006 he has only ever completed three or more, 90-minute matches in a row on four occasions !!
Source: http://blog.paddypower.com/2015/04/17/is-injury-prone-theo-walcott-in-danger-of-morphing-into-another-abou-diaby/
Devil, I can’t see the club allowing that to happen despite what Walcott says…
QUIZ ANSWERS
2) In 11 premier league seasons, how many times has Walcott scored 10+ goals? The answer is… once 🙁 in 2012/13
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_Walcott#Club
Afternoon all
@ Brian 12:31, well said
The flamster is off , again…he done a job i guess, any fee would be a bonus.
@Rico, I reckon Theo is after the central role as well as the pay increase. Personally, I would let his contract saga run and run. After seeing RVP leave after 9 years, not get a testimonial and leave hated..he would have to make a calculated decision. If he wins the league with us and bags 15+ goals, he will sign as if we get to end of transfer windown and Wenger has put his chips on Theo , and theo does not perform or gets injured, we will let him go on loan in january and let him leave for free.
And he will be remembered for the wrong reasons…
Will be interesting to see if Sanogo is actually any good or a headless chicken. Ajax should expose him or showcase him.
When Benzema signs for us , I will change my name to Georgina!
QUIZ Answers 3)
Bonus question, how many times in his career has Walcott started more than half the games in the premier league season (ie 20+) ?
The answer is twice 🙁
Source: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13796/History/Theo-Walcott
So hands up, is Theo WORTH 100k/week? I would say no.
The real question is if he is worth a punt that he will actually stay fit and contribute much, much more in the next 3 years… that, is anyones guess… He could do an RVP and bang in goal after goal, or he could pull an Abou Diaby.
Mercedes Benz might Lee….!
Big Benz WATH…
Benz up front with Coq & Bender behind him…..
Kev can you shoehorn Bent into that team?
An S600 up front would be good Lee…. Just not that Karim twat…!
Bent must be a given with that kind of line up…! Kev… sort it out.
One Bender or two?
Got to be a Bent and adbl Bender don’t you think..?
Ollie is keeping Benzema out of the national team. So why spend around 40 million just to fund RM’s transfers when he is like for like with Ollie??
Aubemayang offers a difference. Lacazette (from what I hear you say) as well.
so why Benzema???
theo has scored 58 goals in his last 166 games, 117 starts + 49 sub, (2010/11 to 2014/15) which is a great strike rate, as he played nearly all those games as a wide player, I don’t have his exact assists stats for the same period, but I think its around the 50 mark, so for me he is worth every penny of the reported £120K he wants. By the way 2010/11 season was his first after his shoulder problems had been sorted out once and for all, and in 10/11, 11/12 and 12/13 Theo started 97 games and was sub in 30 more games.
Plus its laughable to suggest that if he don’t sign the contract we “can sell him” this summer, people actually need to remember a club can not force a player to transfer to another club, we could of course pay up his contract and let him leave for free, if that is what you are suggesting.
Walcott holds all the aces in the contract talks, he knows that if he sits out the last year of his contract he would get a massive pay day – for example look what James Milner got from Liverpool, look what city offered him, – so £100K or £120K wages is not at all unreasonable for Walcott to want, and also you have to consider what it would cost AFC to replace walcott, both in transfer fee and in wages.
Would also say Walcott has never caused Arsenal one moment of trouble in his 9 years with us, no bad press headlines, no bad lad image, no smoking, no drunken photos, no stories of wild nights, no wrong comments. By all accounts he is a model pro, Other than the injuries caused by a genetic shoulder problem that was sorted out by operations(pre 2010/11 season) Theo has had one major injury, the knee injury that disrupted his last two seasons, and there is no reason to think he should have any other injuries related to that injury, Arsenal have managed his recovery to the highest degree. Arsenal would be very foolish to not give Walcott the pay rise he seeks.
George, you could be right re Theo, he’s certainly let it be known he wants to play central, although his latest comments suggest he’s happy wherever he plays…
Afternoon Rico and all.
Mountinho is a dirty little shit, in my opinion of course.
Moutinho even.
Sorry Kev and Lee.
Eduardo, if Theo could string a season together of injured free football, I’d say pay him 150k a week.
Until then………..
eduardo, i’m a huge fan of Theo so no disagreeing with you for a change… lol
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – You really set the ferret in the hen house with that article. I shall try to remain calm, civil and serene.
Re: Judas Van Pursestrings;
In the Judeo Christian credo(as you already mentioned) – As you sew, so shall you reep. In the Buddhist credo – karma. As for what might have been if he had stayed one or more seasons, it doesn’t matter as he didn’t and Arsenal transfer(s) are enough speculation for me.
As for his message to ManUre and Arsenal fans, it rings about as true as the statements he made after he left Arsenal. He has no regard for the average football supporter. He insults our collective intelligences if he expects us to believe his excuses, justifications, mitigation and obfuscations.
As for ‘his record’, no it can not be erased, but like the records of athletes who are caught doping; for most Arsenal fans it will have an asterisk next it. He will be remembered, but he will never be one of the Arsenal greats. May he fade into obscurity and never to to be seen or heard from by true Arsenal supporters ever again.
I will now retreat to my quiet place and meditate on the better and greater things in our universe.
@ Adam ….Moutinho ! hahahahaha
Theo/ Welbeck…same type of player, runners, can any of them actually ping a pass or control a football?
Maybe i’m old fashioned but i can’t fault le quifs control.
tbh i want Theo to stay. he gives the team a different edge when he plays and with Sanchez and DW23 we have one of the fastest attacks.
what i do not want is for the club to be held to ransom or made to look that he is more powerful than the club.
Kev just text me about that mistake Adam……….. he may not make tomorrow night as he is so upset! I’ll try and talk him round, it will be difficult!!
Georgina it is then! 🙂
Kev – If you are going to busting new moves for Lee; I trust you will be wearing your red spandex pants. We wouldn’t want you doing yourself a mischief.
Le Quiff’s ball control is even better in a hotel suites…. #justsaying!
I know Brudder. Mrs Adam also saw it and has castigated me with little mercy. I think she must be in the Spelling Police or something. It was ugly though I admit. Could I blame the iPad spellcheck like Scott always does?
I tried that excuse with Brudder Kev for you (Scott’s Law as Kev called it)….. no redemption what so ever! He was thinking a small custodial sentence should do the trick!
Afternoon Adam..
Afternoon Cg, I hoped it would spark a feisty forum… lol
http://grammarpolice.com/
scottfromoz as I stated 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 Theo did indeed string not only one injury free season but three injury free seasons together – he played 127 games across those 3 seasons, scoring 45 goals, and in 2011/12, 2012/13 he missed a total of 9 league games, playing in 35 and 32 of our games, I don’t have the stats concerning how many times he was fit but did not get game time
I think Adam should be binned for such gross negligence on the spelling front… It’s almost a sin punishable by death…!
Arsenal being linked with a move for Lucas Biglia, reports in Italy say we will sign him if we sell Flamini
Arsenal have made a ‘significant’ offer to sign Barcelona midfielder Oriol Busquets, according to reports. The 16-year-old is no relation to first-team star Sergio Busquets, but is a tall, box-to-box midfield player.
And Spanish newspaper Sport says he’s caught the eye of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has apparently made an offer to bring him to England.
The deal is complicated by Busquets recently signing a new three-year deal at Barca, meaning Arsenal have their work cut out to do business.
Busquets would follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabrgeas, Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral if he moved to Arsenal.
Remember that Sir Roger Casement was hung over a comma.
Anne said John is an idiot.
Or,
Anne, said John, is an idiot.
The devil is so often in the details.
Wath. I will accept whatever punishment is deemed fit for such an outrage. 🙂
I can sense a shift in the “force” Adam, all is not well in the Universe……
Wath. Yes, a certain imbalance is in the ether I think. I have felt uneasy for several days.
I will consult the wise men who inhabit The Bleacher Report.
eduardo – “…Walcott holds all the aces in the contract talks…”. Not strictly true, if Theo wants to be playing for England in the European Championships next year.
Theo must be playing first team games regularly to be considered for selection to the England team. You only have to look at the treatment LVH at ManUre gave Judas this past few weeks to see how a move can be forced.
Otherwise I agree with most of what you said. I too hope that Theo stays with the Arsenal.
the thing is Canadian Gooner is that if Theo is still here and not getting game time and we go through a sticky patch fans would be in uproar, none would care that he had not signed a new deal, and by the way the last time he was in this position we were well into the season before he signed and he has still been getting game time.
Arsenal want Theo to stay, he wants to stay, just like the last time, and its just a matter of time before its done, it would make no sense for Arsenal to not give Walcott a pay rise, Jenkinson got a pay rise and he wont have played for us for two years in a row by time his loan is up.
I am sure between them TBR and The Metro can rectify the damage that you have caused…..
I shall have to arrange an audience with Yoda see discuss your punishment…. Maybe a week of wearing Kev’s Spandex strides strutting your stuff up and down Brighton promenade…..
@ Lee 1:27 hahahaha Brilliant mate!
Rico, Do you think Jon Toral will get a chance? or fade like Fran Merida did??
Watch. Cruel, but probably just in the circumstances. I am sure that I will be hearing more of this from Kev and Lee tomorrow night at dinner.
George, I think he’ll get his chance, maybe not this season though..
Walk time for me, laters.. or is it later’s?
eduardo – You missed the point.
Rico. It is neither, 🙂
Comparing Jenks and Walcott…. we you cant. Walcott is already one of our top earners, and a senior who has some of the lowest minutes on the pitch since his last contract.
I mean, if Walcott played 80% of matches and performed like Alexis Sanchez then I would pay him 120-130k too. He is way off that level.
Check out his stats, nothing waranting 100k+ in there: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13796/
Hope Walcott stays too, and renewing his current contract on the same terms would be generous enough based on what he has offered and shown since his last contract showdown.
That would still leave him among our very top earners! (perhaps 3rd after Alexis and Mesut?)
Coach 12.25;
Well that really shouldn’t be an issue should it mate…
Arsenal have over 40 days to sort it…
If, by the time that the season has started, there is no tangible progress, then sell him.
Of give his advisors an ultimatum.
Make a decision by a certain date, or au revoir Theo…
We’vè been here enough times for the club to be able to sort this impasse, one way or the other…
Lee, there’s always room for a Darren Bent.
Lee, two Benders are always better than one…
Adam, i was outraged.
Two cabbies and parking attendant had to calm me down…
The only way you can make it up to me for that miserable spelling mistake, is by paying the bill tomorrow….
I’ll leave those thoughts to you and your concience….
Hi CG
Afternoon all, have we signed anyone yet?
Not even Walcott Rico
How disappointing Roger… Lol
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sepp-blatter-conference-fifa-president-6102970
🙂
We have a decent squad..Wenger know’s that,
he can afford to wait…..He know’s that,
Poker..He loves it…..Should have been waiter.
Not sure why we keep getting linked with strikers?
wonder if walnut and his agent are bluffing regarding
a pay rise and wenger wants to test his nerve,with
this one.
His two club’s are The Hub-caps and The Vodka swiggers.
Like always everyone in the world know’s what we need
and wenger will make us sweat right up to the 31st.
Coq will get booked a few times,I’m sure,
that leaves little santi..who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
So if wenger refuse’s to back this position with another
player,we will just stand still again.
Who are the vodka swiggers Fred?
Ah, City?
I don’t own a club…. I swig lots of vodka though……………..
Not any old vodka though….. Has to be George Graham….
Rico, I do indeed have a penchant for a bit of George….. 🙂
You surprise me Wath… 😉
Blatter to Platini. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
A furnace Adam.
Evening Rico and all
Reus to Madrid gathering pace
I think so Rico. 🙂
Benzema in El Confidential now taken up by Marca apparently.
http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2015-07-20/real-madrid-benzema-ozil-cristiano-bale-rafa-benitez-florentino-perez_935149/
Seems Benzema is surplus as Benitez wants to play Bale and Ronaldo together with Bale down the middle.
You’d think someone else would put themselves forward these days Adam…
Evening Mg, that would be a shame….
That story was around a few weeks ago when a few papers suggested Ronaldo was going to be played through the middle and Benzemar would feel pushed out….
True Rico. How about Phil Brown?
Too orange Adam.
How about our Arry…?
T’riffic choice Wath.
I knew it would get your vote of confidence Adam I could feel ripples of content within the force…
His dog would be a better option…
I’m off guys, night all..
Night Rico…..
Eduardo, it sets a dangerous precedent giving a Player a pay rise based on performances two or three season back.
Now, let’s all just hope he stays, and more importantly, stays fit because he could be fantastic for us, whatever his wage 🙂
Morning Scott and all..
Moutinho rumours hotting up… Well, being regurgitated… 😉
Morning All,
How life changed for the family of Van Judas,
comments from all the family his granddad,
his mum and dad spoke of the Wonderful respect
Robin had from all at the club and how the fans
Worshiped him.
His wife spoke of the Wonderful circle of friends
and the great life here in London.
She spoke of how settled the children were
at school.
He says he left to win the premier league/little boy,
he felt he owed us nothing.
Do I feel sorry for that selfish tosser…………. No
His family……………………………………………….Yes.
Enjoy the mint tea.
Fred, I’m with you there lol.
Morning Rico.
Morning Rico and all
Hope these benzama rumours are not true, he offers nothing, the same player as giroud
Morning Rico, Scott and Fred. Moutinho is minute.
Ditto Fred!
I really disagree I think Benzema is a lot better than Giroud….
Morning Adam, Lee and Mg..
Not overly fussed on Benzema myself….
Haven’t seen Moutinho play but he sure is a shortie… 😉
Benzema is a bloody good striker.
Whether he’s better than Giroud is open for debate, but why have two of the same style?
If Giroud was being sold, then ok but as it stands, I still say Lacazette…….our next truly great striker 🙂
Morning everyone.
For what’s it’s worth, I’d take Dzeko over Benzema any day….if we chase that style of player.
He’s well and truly proven in the League.
New post up now…