Morning all.
I was so sure the big day was tomorrow but it’s not. We have to wait until Saturday as that’s when the locks are off, the shutters pulled back and the January transfer window opens wide for the remainder of the month and Arsene Wenger reckons he’s going to be involved. He’s already said he wants to sign a defender, now it seems a midfielder is also in his plans…
There is a need there but the right opportunity has to come up. To buy just to buy is not what we want to do, but if the right opportunity comes up, we will do it.
If you look at the number of games some players played, and the injuries we have with Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta, we are a bit short at the moment in midfield.
We are short, in numbers and in height!
It’s looking likely that Yaya Sanogo is heading off out on loan which is good news. There’s a lot of talk about him going to Bordeaux but as Kev said yesterday, surely a move to Premier League club would make more sense, unless of course he’s not coming back of course. Uncross those fingers you meanies…… lol
They’ll be no attacking players signed though so forget all the stuff about Cavani! That is of course if you gave it a thought…..
Offensively we have many options when everyone is fit, too many to keep everyone involved with the right number of games, that is for sure.
So, a couple of defensive signings might be on the cards, I sure hope so as we are desperate in both departments.
Seems the flavour of today is Atletico Madrid Defensive midfielder Mario Suarez. On paper he ticks all the boxes, tall, strong and and out and out Cdm but I’ve not seen him play so I’ve no idea what he’s like. Perhaps you do?
Spanish journalist, Eduardo Inda has a lot to do with this story which comes about after an alleged bust up between the player and his manager Simeone. The latter always looks like someone not to mess with so the story about Suarez leaving At. Madrid this winter could be true, whether he arrives in North London to sign for us remains to be seen. Somehow, I doubt he will….
There are plenty of other rumours but most are just repeats of what we have read before.
Talking of transfers though, old boy Gilles Grimandi has been talking about the clubs scouting/transfer system and HERE is the link, I found it quite interesting. Especially as we have a manager who seems to struggle when it comes to making a brave decision……
That’s it on this cold New Years Eve, in fact that’s it from me for 2014!
Whatever you are up to later, have a wonderful evening all….
Good post Rico, on a no news days…
Thanks Kev. Boring isn’t it….
What had 2014 meant to me in a football sense?
12 months ago, if anyone had said, that over the next year, Arsenal would win the FACup and the Charity Shield, qualify for the CL again, sign Alexis Sanchez, retain all their best players and challenge, albeit fleetingly, for the EPL, then I would have said “Yep, I’ll take that, thanks very much”…
So why am I not feeling positive and optimistic about 2015…
Has the Media/Press really got to me, despite my best efforts to fight their negativity???
Or am I gradually falling out of love with Arsenal/football???
How do you lot feel about your past 2014 experiences???
You have a very good point there Kev.
I’d have never have thought any that you mention would have happened but it did. Yet still I feel pretty downhearted in relation to Arsenal….
The media don’t get to me as they are just people with an opinion and to be fair, of late, their opinion is very similar to a lot of fans and the only difference is they get paid for it.
I think what irks me is not being able to beat sides above us, having a squad which always lacks just a little bit extra to make it great.
A squad which has players with more fight in them, more of a winning mentality and those who are prepared to put their body on the line like Alexis does…
Until we have more like him, we’ll always be labelled as soft, because we always will be soft………
Yes , Happy new year all , some of us will get there before others so whenever it happens for you raise a glass to “The Arsenal”. and it’s supporters.
Morning all,
2014 was a success, but it promised so much more that we are entitled to feel a little flat.
We’ve brough more quality in, but numbers and in the right places would be a massive help so here’s hoping January 2015 rectifies that.
Happy new year guys.
Well said Potter…
Think you’ve nailed it Scott. Hopes were high after the FA Cup and Ivan’s promises….
Happy New Year to you….
Every years a happy one for me, Rico 🙂
Every day for me Scott, just waking up and knowing I’m alive does it…. 😛
Kev :- we are in a fairly good place but we need enhancing to be regular winners. Am I falling out of love with The Arsenal or football in general , I think it’s the latter. When we are playing I want nothing else than a win , but I struggle to watch even match of the day , I am fed up with the whole circus that surrounds the game now , Cheating players , the selective indignation of the press :- Wilshere has a fag and fills the back pages for a week , Sterling throws a punch/slap 1 foot away from a lino and you get silence.Years ago when I was in Morocco I went to see an International against Algeria , I was that keen on football now that’s all gone. I can’t stand FIFA and the politics and I watch incredulously at the duplicitous standards of our refereeing and the complete lack of accountability. Sky set this particular train running and now every media organisation , multi-national company is jumping on board . Money rules the game and without it clubs cannot succeed even the fans small ones that gain promotion know that they are in for 4 or 5 years of struggle even if they survive that long. They are cannon fodder for the big three where money is of no importance and the clubs like ourselves that are hanging on to their coat tails . Any player they get that’s more than reasonable gets swallowed up and their hopes of advancing are thwarted. FFP is having the proverbial coach and horses driven through it. The train is out of control , Murdoch his acolytes are coining it in and we as fans whether by going to games , or watching on the box , or buying merchandise are paying for it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !.
Rico, Kevin and Scott,
I agree with the feeling of flatness. In the past I would have felt fairly confident in going to Southampton and collecting 3 points, but then we had players like Adams, Vierra, Petit, etc players who were not fearful in making a tackle or putting in a physical challenge and not being rolled over, mix that with the skilful players and we had a team to challenge the best,
Rico hit the nail on the head, in games that we expect to at least go head to head with tes above us, some of the players freeze and go missing.
I find it a bit odd that we have Steve Bould on the bench who as a player was as tough as old boots, never shirked his responsibilities, but I do not see any of this rubbing off on players who at set pieces, appear to look around them for other players to challenge for the ball.
Great comment Potter…..
Money ruins everything.
Players agents are all about money, so I blame those scum of the earth.
Rico, well said.
Marinello, Bould should stand up and demand he handles the defence or leave, imo.
Kind of like what people think Wenger should do with Stan 🙂
Morning all….
Just dropped in to wish you all. A Happy, Healthy and Wealthy New Year…
Good post as usual Rico….
Rico, did you get my mail?
Good Morning and a belated Merry Christmas to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – All hell will break loose once those shutters go up. Let us just hope that we are in the real news stories for all the right reasons. Athletic, experienced, mobile and tall players in the CDM and CB positions would be great.
Marinello, I think someone here said yesterday, Ng I think, those kind of tough nut qualities can’t be taught, they have to come naturally..
That means right now, they have to be bought…
But, that’s why I get miffed when players like Lansbury are allowed to leave as he never shirked a tackle from what I saw of him and then there Hayden, another who isn’t afrain to get stuck in but can’t get a chance..
Meanwhile, Per Mertesacker does all he can to turn away from a ball, or duck which he’s done this season – disgraceful……
Rico, 10.38;
Some great points there boss…
Have to agree on all of it.
Scott – You’re probably closest to the New Year. Can you make out anything coming over the horizon, some good news for us long suffering Arsenal fans in particular.
I agree Scott. How’s your son getting on with his football?
Very eloquently said Potter.
Scott – apparently Bould has just signed a new three year contract, seems like he’s happy to go along with whatever is going on….
Morning Bt, same to you and your family too… Just read it, will reply shortly thanks…
Morning Cg – hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too…
Hopefully everyone will be happy at the end of January Cg.. However…. 😉
Potter, 11.06;
Great points mate…
I’m lucky, I live in London, going to the Arsenal is relatively simple for me.
Every game for you is like an away game.
Respect to you Potter…
It’s not our game anymore mate, and it ain’t coming back either…
Like you, I struggle to watch MotD, not least for the idiots who present it on Saturday…
Sunday is ok…
Not got Sky, won’t get Sky, they can do one…
Referees are a complete and utter joke…
FIFA are crooks, UEFA not far behind…
The whole thing is rotten to the core.
Rico – I had a very quiet Christmas. The boys and their families were away at their respective in-laws and my daughter was working. My younger son and his wife are hosting a get together for all the family on Jan. 10. So, I’ll get to play Santa to the grandchildren. I’m looking forward to that.
Yes, I too hope everyone in the House will be happy at the end of January. Fingers crossed, saying our prayers, etc.; whatever is required.
I thought Lansbury got a rough deal Rico. I watched him against the Spuds away and he put in a full shift and scored a great goal.
Not Wengers cup of tea though.
If Podolski gets the nod against Southampton, I would give him a free reign.
He’s not a main front man, but if he sees the goal he’ll at least have a pop.
It’s unfortunate to see Clueless Tony Pubis slither back into management in the BPL. I was hoping we had seen the last of him.
Quiet Christmas are sometimes nice Cg, have a lovely get together on the 10th – ho ho ho…. 🙂
Marinello – I recall that one and the look on his face showed what it meant, what an NLD meant….
Shame we have to play WBA under him Cg….
Although not my choice of Manager, Pullis has a reputation for keeping teams in the Prem.
Not the prettiest of teams under him, but they always normally give 100% and make up in muscle what they lack in skill. So from a pure money angle, the Chairman has gone to him with the hope of staying up and hanging on to the money from being in the Premier League.
Terry Burton might be out of a job if Pullis signs on….
Football wise 2014 meant an FA cup win and just 7 points off winning the double which could have been made up by not losing key players to long term injuries ie Walcott,Ramsey and alot of others.
Don’t get me started on refs I will just point out that idiot Taylor’s performance against Aston Villa and as everyone knows I don’t have a very high opion of PL refs.
Rico I know ZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Marinello – I don’t dispute what you say, but despite all that; he is still one of the most odious people in the BPL.
Joe – Regarding referees, you’re preaching to the converted on here.
We all know this but Robbie Savage sums up quite well:
“Arsenal
What they need in a nutshell: The same old story
Window shopping: Everyone knows what they need – a centre-half and a defensive midfielder – and Arsene Wenger said at the club’s AGM in October that he would “try” to strengthen at the back in January.
But “trying” and “doing” are two different things. Arsenal were top of the table at the start of 2014 and crying out for a new striker, yet Wenger did not sign a single player to help their title bid.
If Wenger is not going to pay over the odds to buy anyone when he has a chance of winning the title, then why would he spend when his side are not contenders?
The truth is that his side can probably finish in the top four with what he has already got. “
Joe, we all know what the ref’s are like. Dreadful and none of them deserve to have such a job….
They make Webb, Poll and a few others like Durkin even, seem world class….
Canadian Gooner: I agree with you about Pullis, I could never pay to watch his teams play.
Rico: Terry Burton has moved around a bit over the last few years. If he loses his job he’ll get another pretty quickly going by past history.
Any predictions for the Southampton game? 3 points would be great, but a draw is more likely…..
Good Morning Rico and All. Good Post as always even when it No-News-Day. How you and Wath do it is beyond imagination.
Happy New and Healthy Year to all and I hope we are still around when we win the league and Championship League. I hope AW gives us at least two players in this T/W.
Bty, how is Rick?
AndrewH yes we did need an extra striker in Jan but who was available at that time in the same class of Sanchez or Welbeck.
Rico – A referee would have to be abject to make Graham ‘The Thing From Tring’ Poll look good by comparison. The man couldn’t even count to two.
Btw, is Rick
“If the opportunity arises”. A repeat quote of every TW. And what happens? Diddly squat! Winter especially, old Scrooge wenger looks around a bit and like de Gaulle, all those years ago says, “NON”!
There will be no new signings at Arsenal this time round because he will not find any of the right players of the quality he wants at a price he is prepared to pay during this ‘window’.
And we, the fans will be left disappointed and frustrated and let down, again, as always!
Potter I agree with your impassioned new year’s revelations, absolutely, and when the whole game and its sandy based foundations, collapse into oblivion, football will be consigned into the dustbin of past glories, probably never to rise again.
However, we may get our game back and the men in suits and rolled umbrellas will move on to pastures new. Rollerball, perhaps.
The sooner the better!
And a happy new year to one and all.
CG, the sniff of a few purchases is in the air 🙂
Marinello, Sean is currently on school holidays, and hates it as it means no football.
The progress this fir most of the kids has been incredible, and playing/training for two hours a day has made Sean love the game even more, so it’s a case f so far, so good, and I appreciate you asking .
A busy day ahead for me before the years ring the changes. So, I’ll bid you all a good day and wish you all a Happy and Fulfilling New Year.
Scott – Start us all off with a big bang Down Under mate.
Hopefully the next time we speak will be after our beloved team take three points of Sotton.
Keep The Faith!
Also look were we are buying or players from now Real, Barcelona and Manu and they generally don’t sell players in January.
Not sure we will buy a big name player in this transfer window.
Andrew, Savage is spot on….
Scott is it 2015 yet
Hi Ng, thanks – it’s a struggle at times… 😉
Haven’t heard from Rick over Christmas…. Hopefully he’s just busy doing family stuff…
Wavy – two for me 🙂
Night Cg, Happy New Year to you and your family….
It’s now 2015…Happy new year guys.
Same to you Scott enjoy your beers 🙂
Thanks Joe.
Afternoon All,
2013/14 for me was like every season…………….
yer we won the FA Cup,but so could any team now a days,
with have some great players,and on any given day,
could beat the best.
I would have taken second over the FA Cup,anyday.
I find it hard to understand any Arsenal supporter
happy with this set up.
Like every transfer window,we hope we get
the right man,the man we are crying out for
season on season.
We all know by now wenger,wants to do it his way,
George Graham always mentioned Liverpool,
as an example.
Wenger was always banging about Barcalona,
then Man Utd, now its the Germans.
So what now…Is he guessing,
Because we all are.
Just in case I don’t get back on.
Happy new year Rico and all you gooners
Off out with Fido folks..
Catch up in an hour or two…
Happy New Year Scott 🙂
Same to you Fred..
Laters…
Happy New Year, Digger…
Stay off of the Grolsch…
Kev,
I’m Having a pretty quiet one mate.
Happy New Year!!!!
Quiet?
You Digger?!
No comment… 😀
Happy new Year to the lady of the House and all you lovely Gooners.
Here’s to a healthy, peaceful and happy 2015.
Scott: glad your son is enjoying his football, sometimes as they get older it all becomes very serious and a lot of the enjoyment disappears. All sport is such a good outlet for youngsters and teaches loads of good character building qualities that will stay with them throughout life.
Afternoon Rico and all. Happy New Year to you and the family Scott.
Happy New Year Houser’s,
Keep the faith, if we can keep Diaby fit still think we’re in with a good chance.
Evening folks, it’s turning cold again…
Hi Adam, Micko….
Just about to open a blue bottle of fizzy stuff Adam/Kev 🙂
Make sure you pace yourself rico, the day is still a puppy lol………..
Not for me Micko, 10pm and I’ll be tucked up…. Lol
Lightweight 😉
That’s me Kev 🙂
I dunno rico, a puppy for the pavement and an old dog for the road…………..enjoy the evening won’t you !!! Don’t believe you for 1 minute mind ya, HNY, catch you all tomorrow.
Ha ha Micko – I’m truthing honest, HNY to you too, have a lovely evening…..
Afternoon Rico and the House
I hope all you lovely Gooners enjoyed your Xmas as much as I did.
It was five years ago that we were last all together .(one little Girl wasn’t even Born) and we had agreat time.
Kev there has been many times during the last two years that I have felt very flat and low, and avisit to the house cheered me up.
I think 2015 will be a good year for the club and we will all get what we want in the T/W
I hope you all have a great evening and I wish you a happy new year.
BTW Rico a great post on a no news day.
We can expect a late post tomorrow people , have a good one .
Hi guys.
5.13am and I’m still putting in the hard yards.
No sleep to be had tonight hahahaha
What can I say…..I put in a better shift then Alexis /)
Evening Rick.. Thanks..
Great to hear Christmas was good…
Potter, no late post,now that’s can assure you 🙂
Scott, you need to get other players on board!!
Rico, I’m a one man strike force so no need for help 🙂
Aren’t you just Scott 🙂
I do my best hahahahahaha
Off to bed now for an hour or so kip……night all and Happy New Year when it’s your turn, no matter where you are!
Nighty Scott…
Can’t believe that on New Years eve, this place is so quiet :):):):)
Night all, Happy New Year to you all…. Here’s to 2015….
COYRRG’S!!!
I wish all my mates on HH and especially my good friend Rico, a very healthy and happy New Year. 🙂
A happy new year to the lady of the house and all you gooners and your loved ones..
AKBs and AAAs here is hoping it all ends in 2015
Keep up the good work..
Happy new year to you late comers….. I’ve Always said Australia is ahead of its time 🙂
Hope everyone has a happy new year off out to party enjoy
Happy new year and please make it prosperous for all Gunners everywhere, particularly in dee house!
Should that be ‘dah’?
Happy New Year Team!
3.00am . and just out of the hot tub , staring at the plough , a beautiful night sky in Norfolk
Happy New Year you lot!
Morning all..
So who has a headache…? 🙂
Morning Rico and all. I don’t. 🙂
Morning Adam, me neither 🙂
Glad to hear it Rico. I am laying on the sofa with a rather nice Cappuccino reflecting on the season so far and what we might reasonably expect in the future.
Very nice too Adam… 🙂
Can’t say I’m in a hurry to do much today, still thinking about what to have for breakfast..
No doubt eggs will be involved 🙂
Morning all, and welcome to 2015.
Adam, and we all know what to expect 🙂
Hi Scott. Maybe we will be surprised.
I begin the year in optimistic mood anyway. 🙂
Good morning and let’s all welcome the new year with hope and anticipation.
Today, Soton are without the suspended Morgan Snickedonein, this is a good thing! Perhaps we will win 1-2? If we do we will be on our way to overhauling the present 3rd placed team, who are little short of absolute crap! Manure as you might say?
Wenger to stir up the troops and win today’s battle!
COYRRGS.
Morning Scott and Wavy..
New post up now..