Morning all,
What a success this tour has been even from the fans point of view. I am not going to try to second guess what the contents of Ivan appraisal is going to be when Silent Stan finally remembers that being a majority share owner for a major sporting franchise is more than just attending AGMs.
I am not going to allow myself to feel an ounce of jealousy when Ivan receives his bonus for the year. Some people are dumb lucky in life!
Anyway, back to football matters.
Before the mix and mash squad flew off to Indonesia to commence the tour, I discussed the young players I thought could impress and touched on my disappointment of Nico Yennaris not boarding the plane.
We all know we won the first two games very conclusively. For those who are either not interested in or have not been lucky enough to watch any u-21 or next-generation matches during the past season, they were introduced to Olsson and Zelalem.
I expected Olsson, Akpom, Eisfield and Aneke to outshine Zelalem. Having watched Zelalem during the very view appearances he made for the U-21’s, I was certain he wasn’t quite ready for this level because he seemed to one dimensional. But boy was I wrong!
Those who keep track of the youth squad players and their development suspected Serge was earmarked for Gervinho’s place in the squad. It was only due to the 2 ankle injuries he suffered last season that stunted his development.
Ryo is also liked by Arsene because he has that something that Wenger likes in his wingers. That ‘Marc Overmars’ type of ability to tease a defender with the ball on the by-line and then cut the ball back for a striker to finish off superbly in the Arsenal fashion. But he like Serge was plagued with injuries.
Coming back to the tour, a few of our senior players had a point to prove. As an example, Giroud had no pre-season last time round with us apart from the Cologne game. He was then forced to step-up his game so soon after joining us because of ‘you know who’ joining the dark side. Olivier then went 7 or so games before he broke his duck against West Ham in that 3-1 win.
Rosicky before this summer’s tour had not had a pre-season in 2 or 3 years because of injuries. Sagna was considered past it by a section of the Emirates faithful due to a few below par performances that can only be attributed to Sagna not having any pre-season involvement 2 summers in a row .
So what has this tour thought us or most importantly Arsene Wenger? In my opinion signing a central defender is not crucial so far as we pick up no major injuries to our available defenders. I do not believe the likes of Williams or Rami are better than the 2 fit defenders we have currently. Credit must go to Bould for mending our defensive issues.
I currently suspect Arsene Wenger will not rule out giving Bacary a 2 year contract extension if the player is open to the idea of being a central defender on occasions when needed. This idea will solve two problems.
The first being that Jenkinson who needs more play time in order to develop his game further will get more opportunities as a right back. Bellerin or Yennaris will also have the opportunity to cover at right back when needed.
I think Sagna deserves a contract extension because to me when fit he is the best right back in the league and amongst the best in Europe.
In attack I suspect Akpom’s performances have given Arsene a headache; he is probably thinking signing Yaya was a waste of squad space. Don’t get me wrong I rate Sanogo highly but I must admit he looks like someone who supports Real Madrid or Juventus. That means in 3 years’ time he could be off to a more exotic club like some players before have done in the past.
I personally do not concur to this British core obsession but I must admit I would prefer a young man who has been with the club since the age of 7 to be given more chances to develop than someone else who admits he only joined us because of Arsene. This to me translates to let me use Arsenal as a stepping stone for my career. If Pogba can do that to the red devils up north I would not put it past anyone.
We know Arsene is on the look-out for a striker so I won’t waste any more time on this topic. I will however like to point out that apart from Gnabry, all our available forwards scored amazing goals including the excellent penalty taken by Ryo.
Serge chose to play his game safe and efficient like you would expect from a future German star. But I must admit the young Mozart Eisfield scored the best goal on tour. Maybe I am biased but I admit I love the way Eisfield sees the game. No wonder he and Olsson consider Tomas Rosicky as the best player in the current Arsenal squad.
On this tour I think the major concern that we had was in our midfield, especially the central and defensive areas. We scored 19 goals but worryingly, only Oxlade-Chamberlain got on the score sheet from midfield unless you consider Ryo and Eisfield midfielders.
Yes Gedion was a revelation to most Arsenal fans with his through balls and assists but Arteta was even slower and unfit on this tour than he was last time round in Malaysia and Hong Kong. I think it would be fair to say that without Terrier Ramsey playing, our midfield, when not in possession of the ball, looks as efficient as using a tea spoon to fill a bucket with water.
As observed by most reasonable fans, Jack Wilshere to me does not have the tactical awareness to be a reliable part of the 3 man midfield we utilise especially when he plays as the box to box midfielder next to Mikel. I know he is unfit and the match against the Red Diamonds was his first start but if we are being honest, I doubt a fit Jack will not give the team the same unbalance tactical performances he has displayed since last October.
If I was Arsene I will be hijacking Cardiff’s bid / attempt at signing Capoue as soon as possible. Don’t get me wrong I do not think Capoue is better than any of our senior midfielders. He does not even play as a defensive midfielder for Toulouse on majority of occasions anymore but I think he can improve and do a steady job for us in the centre of the park. He has done a good job for France in midfield recently and even scored a goal.
I do have this sneaky feeling that Arsene has earmarked Aneke for a box to box role if he can’t get a central midfielder he wants.
If Frimpong cannot feature for at least 20 minutes in the Emirates Cup next weekend due to match fitness, then I will expect Arsene to make a desperate move for Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton if Capoue has joined another club by then.
As we scored 19 goals during the tour and conceded only 3 goals I am still expecting Arsene to pay serious diligence to the defensive midfield area especially the number of defensive minded players we have available.
Taking into consideration the results of our league competitors over the last few days, I would say we have had a bloody good summer. All without our Captain, Nacho Monreal and Santi Cazorla……
Enjoy your day whatever you are doing and stay safe.
Written by Ginge
Morning all,
Really good read Ts, thanks.
I watched every game too and all the young ones did themselves proud. Ryo was a bit suspect to start with but he got better/fitter as the tour went on…
Will be very interesting to see who joins the first team squad this coming season, if any.
Arteta really worries me, he has struggled on this tour. Whether that was the heat or just his age remains to be seen.
Rosicky though was totally the opposite, looks fit, lean and mean and ready for a good season ahead…
Annoyingly, I have to go out for most of the day, hope to be back late afternoon, if not before..
Have a good day all….
Good morning Ginge, nice post.
Good morning all.
Have a good day Rico, stay outta trouble as much as you can.
It’s a free weekend for me, so, I’d just stay in and slosh myself through the day
Wenger says He thinks we can challenge with the squad we have………. Here we go AGAIN, I cant believe people fall for the spin EVERY year!!!
Onya Ginge….terrific post.
Morning all.
Great post !, and its great to get a full assessment of the youngsters.Thanks for the post !I disagree only on one point and that is the need for another central defender. When injuries hit again in winter, we will once again struggle (but i hope i am wrong)
Cheers again, Up the Gunners
Gavin
Yes sir!
Very good read. But the players performances have to be taken in context
The teams we played we’re all 2nd rate teams. If Arsene is judging IF to buy new players
On the bases of these games we’ll be caught with our pants down when the season starts.
Good Post Ginge, Not sure i have the same kind of enthusiasm that you have for our youngters. Yes Ryo fired hi penalty like a cannon but i cannot see him replacing anybody in our team for quite some time I did like what i saw from Eisfeld. But Akpon did not really impress me. I feel that this tour was all about our youngsters. Our manager will now be able to loan them out as he usually does as i cannot see any of them slotting in the first team for quite some time. Our senior Players did enough for us to finish the tour unbeaten but what thi tour ha done for us i don’t really know. All i have learned is that we need experienced players recruited for us to challenge for the title. Granted our keepers never let in many goals but it still showed that they are not good enough in the Premier league. Wenger has quietend down a bit as far as new players are concerned but we all know that he cannot beleive that this squad of players can challenge for the title. He needs to get his head down and make a few winning bids or we know where we’ll be this time next year. Wenger will be busy for the next week or so with the Emirates cup, so i would feel that any signings will be a bit later if at all. I would have liked our goalkeeping problem solved by now as there are experienced keepers around. the Emirates cup would have been an ideal test for a new keeper to find his feet but as we know an easy signing can be hung out to dry by our negotiators. As you said a fairly successfull tour and a competition coming up, hopefully we may even see our Marquee signing Ya Ya.
what I think about suarez is that wenger should leave him alone and made him understand that they love to among them but the club refiuse, and wenger should go for sudaldo and benard or fellani or fab and get defense and a short stopper like cesar.
Excellent Ginge, excellent. I see you’ve touched on the wing MFs/striker conundrum. Theo is referred as a striker while Hazard and Mata are called MFs even though we play a similar formation.
Morning all.
Great post
what about that barnard guy though, luks exciting
https://mobile.twitter.com/SlySportzNews/status/360853562072371201/photo/1
Hope it works lol
So Arsenal scored 19 goals and concede 3. Wenger may believe his defence is solid but it hasn’t been exposed to the far more formidable attacks of the epl.I still believe the big german is a liability.
He could make rash challenges because he is ponderous and prone to conceding penaltes. We will have to wait for the season to unfold. This could be the defining season for Arsenal and Wenger.
He hasn’t much time to turn the gunners into epl challengers.
Steve, i think we all agree that a few new signings will makes us title contenders. My view is that with Gervinho on his way out, Gnarbry and Ryo should get more chances during the season. I alsomlike Ginge’s suggestion about Aneke getting a midfield role.
Having said all of that Wenger’s latest statement that he believes we can challenge for the title without new signings is worrying because I think he actually means that.
Nizam, did you watch us after Xmas last season?
If so, when we had a rock solid defence, who do you think we were playing??
Nice one Scotty 🙂
As much as I want new signings I do not want to replace the deadwood with yet more deadwood. If capoue is as good as some people say why is it the only offer has come from cardiff and do we really need yet more sub £10m players?
I want to see us sign trhly world class players only. You rightly say we need a world class striker I would say we need a world class spine. Ithe players that have left the club can be replaced by the younger players currently at the club. Martinez is every bit as good as mannone. Bellerin and Miquel can step up to replace squillaci and santos quite comfortably. Aneke can certainly replace denilson whilst eisfield can replace arshavin. If gervinho park bendtner and chamakh all leave then I see no reason why zelalem gnabry akpom and sanogo cannot come into the squad. Add to that yennaris and afobe who missed the tour bcos of injury and I would say those all those that have left including coquelin and campbell are adequately replaced. The only player that hasn’t really been replaced is djourou but I say again if the player we sign to replace him is not world class and better than our current pairing then I see no point as bellerin can simply challenge jenkinson with sagna moving across. 9 defenders should be enough for the season – jenkinson bellerin sagna mertesacker koscielny vermaelen miquel gibbs monreal gives us 9.
3 keepers is enough and in szczesney fabianski and mannone we have 3.
In the holding midfield we need 5 or 6 we have arteta wilshire ramsey diaby frimpong aneke and yennaris
For the 3 in attacking midfield we have walcott cazorla podolski chamberlain rosicky ryo gnabry eisfeld zelalem and olsson that’s 10
Whilst up front wecan choose from giroud sanogo akpom and afobe
That’s the 5 areas and I believe that we have a good squad. However if we want a GREAT squad we need 1 world class player added to each area. But I don’t want squad players I am talking 5 world class players that wqlk into the starting x1. GK – Cesar, Holding Midfield – Fellaini, Attacking Midfield – Fabregas. Striker – Suarez. Its defence I struggle to think of a world class player that we could afford or rather one that would want to leave his current club. Baines possibly but he is a left back only so adds no cover for CB. Sakho is a possibility as he plays CB and LB but he doesn’t fit my world class requirements. Rami and williams neither fit the world class or versatile req. So I bow to wengers superior knowledge and scouting network on this one I am certain he will buy the right defender if he thinks we need 10.
BC, I would bet my last dollar you’d take Michu.
He was bought a year ago for 2 million.
Oh, and Mannone is gone.
Oops 3 keepers szczesney fabianski martinez not mannone
@ scott from OZ
Sorry I wouldn’t take a one season wonder no. Here is a player in his mid to.late 20s and never before heard abput a year ago.
Good Morning to the Lady of the HOus and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Ginge – Great article. I share your hopes for the Young Guns and your reservations about the midfield.
Jack has lost two years of critical development through injury and is not yet fully fit. I’m not sure his display on the tour was due to his wish to impress Arsene, an un-developed tactical nouse and/or an inate tactical inability. He definitely wants to take on opposition players one on one, but as you say he failed to take great opportunities to make a decisive pass by opting to dribble. He currently isn’t a good shot. So, where does Arsene play him? He lacks tactical and positional discipline for the defensive midfield pairing and is not a strong enough shot for the CAM position. How much of this is an inate lack of ability and how much can be taught is the big question. It will be great to have him back to full fitness, but at the moment he is a work in progress. What his full capabilities are has yet to answered.
As for Arteta, he is one of the older players in the squads and may take a little longer to get back to full fitness. That part does not worry me as he has time. However, if he is injured for any length of time, the team is in trouble. There is no direct replacement for him, which would mean reshuffling the midfield to cope with his absence. We need a dedicated DM and I don’t think any of the Young Guns are ready yet. Maybe Frimpong has the potential, but he should be eased in over one or two seasons. We need to buy a DM. Whether that should be Bender, Capoué, Fellaini, Gustavo, or another is open for debate. I prefer Bender or Capoué.
Easy to say that BC.
Anyway, my point stands…Not every player is worth what they are paid for.
Sometimes they are are much better, sometimes much worse.
Forget the pricetag or clubs looking……actually, do we really know who is looking at Capoue?
Well said CG.
Even i, the person who stood squarely in front of the hoard criticising the young Ramsey, has probably been a little harsh on Jack by not allowing him the same period of time to get back to his best.
I still reckon Wenger needs to find the best way to use the kid though, and adapt the system to suit him, if possible, because he is that good.
He is no Aaron, but they all can’t be, can they 🙂
Scott – I would never have guessed you were a Queen fan. Live and learn.
CG, ummm…..i’m not lol.
A mate put that link up on Fb….i reckon it is a classic.
Bender and gustavo are also world class. I went for fellaini bcos of his relationships with arteta and vermaelen. We know his release clause and we have seen him play in the epl for a good few years. His versatality is also something I like. Gustavo could be a great option as he has played CB DM and both full backs so perhaps he would be a better fit for wenger. Bender is definitely fancied by wenger and is a great DM. But please wenger world class starting x1 players only from here on in. Have to say though I quite like the 33 man squad I named above just 5 world class additions allowing 5 youngsters to go out on loan instead.
@ BC while agree re comment ooh deadwood I think we need to be careful on the mass promotion of young players. While your suggestion seem good on paper practically young players are fairly inconsistent also there is a big step up from under 21 and tour matches to the EPL. Looking at the player you mentioned, Zalelem, Gnarby, Akom, and Olsson are nowhere near ready to play EPL, even as squad players. In fact I would even question if they are ready to go out on loan. You mentioned Afobe, his loan spells were fairly unsuccessful. As for the keepers I think we definitely need an experienced keeper would go a long way in adding squad depth and providing Szcz with a mentor.
Scott – I thought you might bite at that. Just for a laugh mate.
I know CG, i know lol.
Nah, they were a great band……Freddie was a great entertainer.
Well, they say he was 🙂
bc – Fellaini would add some grit and height to our midfield. The reasons I didn’t opt for him At DM is his high cost and that he is used to a great measure of freedom at Everton. I don’t know if he would be willing to bite the bullet like Arteta has done and play the DM position. With our focus as an attacking team we need a player willing to maintain positional discipline.
Scott – It’s not like you to hedge your bets like that.
Diplomacy lessons are taking hold i guess CG 🙂
SP1 – I don’t think anyone is suggesting that any of the Young Guns are ready to take a starting position in the first team squad. All they have shown so far is great potential. Some may be ready to take up third string positions in the first team. They’ll get the odd 15-20 minutes in the closing stages of league games and more time in Capital One Cup games. Others will be sent out on loan to smaller BPL teams or ones in the Championship.
The enthusiasm we are showing is for their potential and promise, which bodes well for the near future. We’ll have a better idea of where they go for the start of the season after the Emirates Cup. That should offer a better test of their true abilities, but I don’t think we will see as many of them on the field at any one time.
Scott – Thank you! Your diplomacy gave me a good chuckle. Keep it up and you might even charm her Ladyship.
She knows all my moves, CG.
Diplomacy…nah.
I need a miracle 🙂
Still, i must be doing something right.
I just don’t know what haha
I hope Ginge’s absence is due to him attending the christening of his friend’s child and not worry over the reception of his article.
I am off giys.
Have a great day everyone.
Later CG.
Sean has a big carnival day tomorrow, so an early night for us all.
Cheers guys.
Scott – Stranger things have happened mate. Have faith in yourself, like the faith you had/have in Ramsey despite the Doubting Thomases that were/are some of our regulars. I on the otherhand was sat astride the fence on Ramsey and my derriere still has the marks. Ouch.
Good Night Scott.
Cheers CG.
Truth be told, the boss lady and I have never been closer lol.
Life is great, and will be topped off with The Emirates visit 🙂
Night mate.
Night all.
all the teams we played in asia are poor quality and tell us nothing really, too often ive heard great things about young players coming up and seen tiny glimpsis of talent only for them too moved on in a year or 2. u said we dont need a defender??? of course we do!! we have 2 fit defenders….we need at least one more.
Ginge – I may have done it again. It has gone very quiet here. Did I scare them off or are they all at the beach or the pub?
Am a lurker CG. Good day. Watching city vs sunderland.
Good afternoon CH. What’s the score?
1 nil courtesy Edin Dz. Mann1 subbed @ HT.
Ring up Ryo, Edin. He knows a thing or two about pelanties. That was woeful.
Sorry to all those who were in moderation… You now free to post..!
Afternoon all..!
Signing 3 to 4 world class/top players would not only inject the much needed qualiteeeeee that the 1st team needs to compete for the top honours but they will most definitely help our promising – and not ready – up/coming youngsters develop in the right ways.
I suspect so many of our once promising young guns bombed out due to the lack of stars from whom they’d learn. Instead they had been told every day by each others and the junior team coaches (and occasionally wenger no dount) that they were fantastic and should now focus on behaving like super stars…bad tactics.
Bendtner, Frimpong, Jay, et al all in that category.
Wenger must sign right to earn his next contract. No way we should even mention it till 2014…
CG and I, we never were in moderation. Afternoon WATH.
W.A.T.H – Good Afternoon. I was wondering where you were as Rico had gone walkabout.
Madam did not inform me she was off on the razzle all day long and I had a few things to do. Hope your all well.
I see it seems that Madrid have put Ozil and Di Maria up for sale… I I like Di Maria… am not sure I believe that story 1 little bit…! Are they really making way and trying to make cash for Bale..?
CH it can be arranged if you’d like to spend some time in moderation…? It’s a bit lonely though talking to urself 😀
useroz – We would benefit from signing 3-4 top players and we might just get them.
As for the the young players, their failure to make it into the first team wasn’t due to a lack of stars from whom they’d learn. If that was the case we would see a lot more young superstars emerging from the likes of Abu Dhabi City, ManUre, Chelski, UnReal Madrid, etc., but we don’t. FC Farcelona are the exception, but they have invested heavily in youth, mainly local Catalans, for decades and have one of, if not the best, youth academy in Europe. One of the best systems in England is Southampton, not a team overrun with stars. Arsenal’s success rate for scholars making the step-up to full professional football is one of the better ones in the Premier League.
Promising young players fail to make that last step for many reasons. Some fail because they don’t continue to develop physically, they aren’t robust or big enough. Some don’t continue to develop technically, they plateau and just aren’t skilled enough. Some just don’t mature mentally and can’t handle the stress of the professional game. Others don’t mature emotionally and can’t or won’t listen to the coaches or take direction. This is the same for all teams. Many of the scholars in Arsenal’s Academy may not go on to play for Arsenal, yet may well have rewarding careers with other teams and in other divisions or leagues.
W.A.T.H – It is hard to tell what is going on at UnReal. Carlo Ancelotti usually prefers revolution over evolution when it comes to building a team. UnReal have some money and have raised more through recent player sales. One recent article had it that they had made a mega-bid for Bale. Another said that they have contacted Suarez’s camp to tell them they are interested, probably if their Bale chase fails.
I’ve never been a great fan of Ancelotti he is a hired gun. A short term contractor, not unlike his predecessor at UnReal and Chelski – the Portuguese pygmy Maureen Yo. Given enough money they can build you a winning team, maybe. Carlo obviously wants to distance himself from Maureen, so will make big changes in the team and probably their playing style. UnReal had become quite stale. How his current players view this will be interesting. Ther could be more departures before the summer is out. I give Carlo three years at best and part of the upcoming season at worst before he is replaced.
Arsenal miss out on Gonzalo Higuain as ex-Real Madrid striker seals Napoli switch
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-miss-out-gonzalo-higuain-2095677
Some pictures of an ‘enthusiastic’? Luis Suarez during a Dippers practice;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2379957/Has-head-gone-Luis-Suarez-struggles-training.html
I’m off to get some breakfast and a few hours sleep before the morning disappears. Catch you all tomorrow.
Keep the Faith!
Cheers CG, will have to keep an eye on the Madrid situation they have a few players I’d take for sure.
Suarez does look really interested eh…!
Have a good kip mate..!
Boo!! I finally figured out my wordpress problem. Yay!
Ginge, another good one!! I think the Asia tour was a success and hopefully served the purpose of reminding our boys that pulling on an Arsenal kit is a privilege.
Our midfield is concerning though. We need a bigger presence at midfield. It’s gone all quiet on Fellaini, shame. Jenks is quite rusty, and so is Jack; hopefully, by the time the new season kicks off, they would have shaken off the cobwebs.
Hello and goodbye, CG! Hi, WATH! rico, where are you? 🙂
Evening AGAG, how’s you..? Hope the weather not playing you up 2 much and your safe n sound…?
Torrential rains earlier, WATH! 😕 I am good. Howdy?? Hope you’re not drinking too much. 😉
Still boring schmoring on the transfer front, I see. Oh, well.
Very boring on the buying front but am sure your making up for it on your buying front 😉
Glad your well and hopefully out of harms way with the rains.
I am off out for the evening and funnily enough copious amounts of alcohol awaits me……
Have a good evening one and all.
Evening all, just got home in the nick of time, the heavy rain and storms are on their way…..
The buying front is being attended to, of course. 😉 Tut. Go enjoy your drink, GG Man! Have one for me.
rico, there you are. 🙂 Heavy rains here as well. Sooo dismal. 🙁 🙁
Ginge, you’ve not been around
Hi agag, yep, not so good 🙁
If only AFC had purchases to cheer us up, rico. 😛
They are so so slow agag and AW says he’s prepared to wait for Suarez, wait for what ??
Another club to sign him?
I read that rico. Very worrying. Wait to be fudged up by Madrid. Again. 😕
All depends agag, if the Bale story is true, then all RM’s money could be tied up there, but I wouldn’t dismiss Jose if he fails with the Rooney bid…
Or Man City, their manager has said they are still going to sign a few players…
I see Higuain has finally been confirmed as a Napoli player…
My daughter has just sent me a photo of my grandson outside the Emirates Stadium. He just moved to England last year and she is making sure that he gets no other ideas about certain other teams up north (can’t mention their name). All my family, 2 sons, daughter, sisters, nephews are Gooners so I have been doing a good job over the last 40 years. One nephew, who I am close to, managed to get away and supports the Scum. Well cannot win em all I suppose. My grandson’s favourite player used to be Van Purse Strings but now his fav player is Arteta. His birthday (grandson) is coming up soon and I would like to get a signed photo. Any ideas, presumably just write to the player and hope for the best. Unlikely that he would respond.
Pepe is off to City according to reports…
Yep, finally Higuain has been sold. Possibly the most anti-climactic story of the transfer window so far.
Citeh’s purchases have been puzzling. So much money, and the window is far from shut.
You’re right about Bale, of course. And knowing Moanrinho, he would buy The Biter if only to feel like he pulled one over AW.
I often read Arseblog but don’t always agree with him but on this I think he has captured the feelings of most of us.
http://arseblog.com/
Also incidently Joel Campbell who occupied Dick Law’s time and attention whilst Juan Mata slipped through our fingers has gone to Olympiakos on loan with a view to a permanent transfer. He’s never played for us , so that was fun wasn’t it.?
Paddy , when my son was in hospital having an operation I wrote to the club and explained the situation . They responded by sending a team photo card signed by the players . That was at Highbury pre Kroenke but it’s worth a try.
If he did AGAG , Torres might find himself surplus to requirement. Despite the bad press and the run he went through I would see him as a step up in our forward department.
Paddy, that’s wonderful. 🙂 I have been largely successful in indoctrinating loved ones and friends in the Arsenal faith, except for an uncle who supports Man United. He only ever gets Arsenal shirts from me though. 😀
Hello, Potter. 🙂
Hi AGAG hows the weather over there ? In Norfolk it’s hot ,stuffy and humid. Waiting for the storm to clear the air and probably cut our electricity supply for a few hours.
Arsenal Financial Corperation at it’s best at the moment….buy some fucking proper players so we an compete not just make profit for the B.O.D! Boring bollocks just do the right thing…..
🙂 paddywack….
No potter, it wasn’t fun and why did we carry on trying to sign a player who simply failed to turn up for his medical once he got wind of a bigger club being in for him?
Lee – my positive thoughts are taking a serious battering, best IG and Dickie boy have a few tricks up their sleeve….
Rainy and flood-y, Potter. 😕 Stays this way for several months in a year. Ick. No fun.
We should buy Torres, then. 🙂 We are exactly the revival that his career needs. 🙂 🙂
Campbell seems to have been a great waste of effort, rico. 🙁
Hello, Lee. 🙂 Howdy?
I’m told the Margherita’s were possibly more to his taste than London Pride or even Estrella in Valencia and he doesn’t like Paella.
Just like a few others who we signed yest never see agag, how many young ones are out on loan overseas I wonder….
Evening all,
Thanks for all the positive comments…
A long day for me today but hey…
And still no signings?:)
yest = yet of course 😉
Torres, well I am all for in in red and white….
Evening Ts, hope the rain stayed away from where you were?
It poured down just a bit..
Hi Rico
Potter, haha. 🙂 And he hasn’t exactly been a raving success, has he?
Ginge, long day?? Strange. I think holidays are far too short. 😉
rico, you know how long I have been waiting to see Torres in our kit. ;
Oh I do agag, I really do 😉
Hi Agag,
I have had nearly 2 weeks off trying to rest. I really needed that.
I had a great day. A beautiful service. But my fave part was the food.Wow. 😉
My friend is a Nigerian and he is married to a lady from your country.
rico, haha. You more than anyone would know. 😛
Ginge, niiiiice. 🙂 Did they serve Filipino food? Lechon is a staple in most gatherings here. 😉
Some sort of patties and curry, and grilled tilapia.
No Lechons though.
I’m right behind you agag 😉
Patties? Struggling to think what those could be. SE Asian food is amazing, imho. 🙂
The Bavarians are already beating BVB09 1-0. Just 19 minutes gone
I think SE asian, Sth American, caribbean and W.African foods are very similar.
There were several types of pulutans (spelling) finger foods.
Patties are like cornish pasties…
Dortmund are quality, they’ll score too. 😉
Yes, we have good pulutan. Sisig and chicharon bulaklak. Haha. Stuff to terrify Adam. 🙂
No African restos here. 🙁
Sahin is now a regular for Dortmond… he could not get into the dippers midfield last season..
I used to love Caribbean food, had some of the best ever in St Lucia. Not quite the same now I don’t eat meat….
Schweinsteiger is now 2nd choice to the spanish duo of Martinez and Thiago for Munchen. Could we tempt him here?
rico… the curries are not the healthiest but very tasty.
There are some veggie options too… I am not a west indian food expert so…
Rico, you going to St Lucia? I thought you were more of a St. Barts type? 😛
Right player, very wrong club Ts 😉
We got shafted by Real then too.. Gits!
Ha ha Ts, I did back a few years ago. Loved it, well, apart from the 8ft wire fencing around the hotel and it’s grounds, didn’t exactly make me feel comfortable 😉
rico, honeymoon in St Lucia? 😛 I find Thiago seriously overrated. And like every other player in Barcelona, he’s a diver.
Schweisteiger won’t move here though.
Bloodbath in Cairo: More than 100 dead and 1,000 injured after police ‘shoot to kill’ in violent clashes which have rocked Egypt.
🙂 agag, cheeky…
Why oh why Ts….. Shocking news…..
crazy world… end times as they say. Rico
🙂 Agag, you don’t rate Thiago? well you have a point especially since Barca did not want to play him even though the put a clause in his contract stating he had to make a certain amount of appearances otherwise he had to leave.
You see if zelalem had played for Spain or German u-19 this summer, some fans will be saying lets pay £15M for him.
I do not rate a lot of players as highly as the media and pundits do. I think we have some decent players. All they need to do is switch on and perform 8 out of 10 times how they played between February to now.
That’s terrible news, Ginge. Just terrible.
I just realised I stated that dortmond were losing. 😮
They are leading i should be saying. If Pep loses the first trophy available to him, it won’t be good for his reputation.
Trouble is Ts, not so many gooners will have watched the younger players during the tour. They won’t be convinced by any of them, Zelalem included…
Very true Agag. I just want AW to make 2 or 3 decent signings so that certain players are not over played.
Saw him only a few times, Ginge, so I’m no expert. And nope, don’t rate him. I don’t understand why people were falling all over themselves singing his praises.
ecause he is Spanish and played for Barca.lol
People forget just over 10 years ago Spain were considered habitual failures at tournaments. They had plyers like Raul, Morientes, Enrique, pep etc but still..
1-1 now the diver robben just equalised. Subotic is shocking today. i can’t believe some fans think he is better than the BFG or Kos.
Oh 2-1 now to BVB.Van Buyten’s OG..
3-1. wow
Munich are getting ripped into pieces.
Some fans are pissed off with Aw for bidding only £40M for LS07 and £14M for Bernard. Both bids have been rejected of course but some people expected us to bid the £22M asking price for Bernard and £55M for Luiz… phew
I guess people who spend all their lives shopping in Tesco do not know what haggling is… 🙂
3-2 Robben again.
Hummells is shocking…
Night ladies.
Night all
Paddywhack, send your photo off with a self addressed envelope and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Meantime, a toe up the hole is what Wenger needs, don’t wanna hear any more of his blarney for the rest of this window.
Ha ha Ts, you forgot we should have paid the extra £10M for Higuain 😉
Night Ts, hi Micko..
I think it’s IG and Dickie boy who need the kick up the backside….
4-2 now. 😯 And yay! We should buy Reus. 🙂
Hey Micko and bye, Micko.
Night, Ginge!
And you, too, rico. 🙂 Catch you tomorrow. 🙂
Nighty agag, have a good rest ….
I’m off too. Night all, ’til tomorrow….
Well the rains here and the lights are flickering.
Morning all….
Hi Rico, its very quiet today.
Hi Ts, it often is on a Sunday…
Have you seen any exciting names linked to us today?
New post up now…
Some lady knob from the mail has just said that the CF 04 to Manure is a done deal! Can’t see it myself. Mail are notorious writers of untruths but Darren Dein is the most disloyal agent on the planet, so it may have legs,then again it may not.
Morning all
No apart from Mourinho playing lip service to AW…