Finally a Cup in the bag! Barcelona can happily take this defender!!

Surely not!

If it’s not Manchester City making waves for our players, it’s bloody Barcelona – I hate them both with a passion.

Having done nothing to stop the persistent association with them and Thomas Vermaelen, they now seem quite willing to sit back and watch us all suffer as Laurent Koscielny become the latest defender of ours linked to the Catalan club and let’s not forget that suggestion is they want Miquel back for a miserly £300,000!!

They can take a hike on all three accounts, but….

If they really need a central defender, and they need one of ours, they can make a sensible offer offer for Sebastian Squillaci – do that and I am sure Arsene Wenger would be happy to come to an agreement!!

Pfffff!!

So yesterday go the pre-season off with a bang, a 1-0 victory over Anderlecht was enough to ensure that the players picked up The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup at St Marys, despite losing on penalties to Southampton in the second 45 minute game.

What did yesterday show Arsene Wenger and his management though? Possibly nothing, other than Henri Lansbury knows where the goal is and surely if he continues to have a good pre-season he deserves a chance to be part of this coming seasons squad?

I’m not suggesting that that decision should be made on the back of yesterdays display though, not for one minute, this lad has never really had a chance with the first team has he, yet we have seen other players in the past be given chance after chance yet turn in very average performances.

Henri is a Londoner, he’s a Gooner and he has the clubs blood running through his veins, just like the player who set him up for his goal, Carl Jenkinson.

We lack a bit of that, a bit of ‘roll up your sleeves’ when things get tough, a bit of ‘ over my dead body will you beat us’ attitude, and it’s something which money can’t often buy, but something Henri would probably give us.

Ok, he missed a chance in the second game of the day, but it’s early days…

It’s time for Henri Lansbury to get his chance at the club he loves and it’s time for him to take it…

That’s it for today, have a good one….

0 thoughts on “Finally a Cup in the bag! Barcelona can happily take this defender!!

  1. Potter says:

    Thought that might be the tenure of your post today, as you are well aware I feel very much the same. Hopefully the chances he needs will be afforded to him. I wonder if he was the subject of Robson’s comments about bought in boys getting their chance before the youngsters from the Hale End academy.

  2. dukeofarsenal Malaysia says:

    Yeah Bro. We have been looking high and lows but we neglect to give out home grown quality talents a chance. Come on AW. give them the benefit of the doubt.

    GoGunners4Eva

  3. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Potter, I have always rated Henri and imho he has never ever been given a real chance, he’s 21 years old and it’s time Wenger included him the the 25.

    I’d rather see Henri on the pitch than Arshavin and Ramsey, based on last seasons performances…

  4. rico says:

    Welcome duke

    AW talks about project youth, his belief in youth etc etc blah blah – but why keep signing ‘unknowns’ from overseas when we have a few in the camp already.

    Ok, if HL plays and it becomes clear he really doesn’t have what it takes, then sell him but lets give him a chance first, that’s all I ask…

  5. Adam says:

    Rico. Good morning. I am alarmed that you want Squill sold to Barcelona. In fact I bridle at the suggestion. Wenger will never adequately replace him. It will be like bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted and would only saddle us with debt. I, for one, say neigh to this idea.

  6. Satan to Saint says:

    Rico,

    Djorou-Gibbsy for captain, Everywhere I read Djourou put in very assured performance and Ignasi was the stand out player in the match.

    Btw did you get to see the celebration? Watch Santos, he seems to enjoy the most. Btw watch Santos’ penalty. Hell, right in the top left corner. And most of our youngsters took our penalties so well.

  7. rico says:

    Morning sts – not sure either of those two are up to leading this current side..

    Haven’t seen either of the two games so can’t really comment on how players performed – but have seen enough of Lansbury to know what we’d get, and that’s 100%

  8. Satan to Saint says:

    Rico

    I said that for just fun. But watch penalty shoot out and Ger’s goal. They’re the highlights of awesome. I hope Ger does this more often. He’s goal was awesome. And our 17-16-20 years old took penalties better than many seasoned players.

  9. Bendtnersgone says:

    Henri always shows grit, determination and balls and he can play a bit. He’s no Jack or Cesc but he doesn’t need to be, Jack is Jack. We need someone to be reliable and effective in breaking up the oppositions play and keeping it simple by laying off to the likes of Jack to do the clever stuff. A London born Gilberto if you will.
    He should have got a go 2 years back instead of that plank Denilson!

  10. rico says:

    Phew Satan..

    When Gerv first arrived he scored to stunners in the Ems Cup, we know he can do it, he just needs to believe a bit more and stop always looking for another player to pass to, usually rvp.

    It used to be the same when Cesc played, Gerv and a few others need to take a bit more responsibility, as Arteta does..

  11. Satan to Saint says:

    Re next week is indeed a very huge week for us. hopefully Robin will stay. And we’d get one genuinely good signing.

  12. rico says:

    I want to see who is going to be on the plane, that will tell us a lot i think…

    Also, I believe all players will be back on Monday for training…

  13. W.A.T.H says:

    AK, can you drive on the VIP lanes the next few weeks or u banned as well..?

    A few of those lads yesterday were in the shop window as well so all in all a good run out for quite a few..!

  14. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Notice that Eastmond started both games yesterday.
    Does that mean anything?
    Maybe Wenger didn’t mind risking him as he is leaving?
    Or maybe Wenger has been impressed with him in training and his attitude after a couple of difficult years and may bring him back into the 1st team??

  15. Satan to Saint says:

    @Charlie

    Doubt it. Eastmond was good before he got injured and he was ahead of both Pong and Coq. But after his injury, someone else had taken the chance and he had to sit back. I remember last time he played for us against Shakhtar and conceded OG and after that its been downhill for him.

    I guess he was on show yesterday for buyers.

  16. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    I won’t be duped by yesterday, it’s not like we won a proper trophy like the Emirates Cup.

  17. Devilgunner says:

    Good Afternoon Fine Folk.

    Hot here today. 39 degrees in the shade. Good thing there is a slight NWW windy breeze. Otherwise we would struggle to breath.

    Yesterday I saw both halves. And I like what I saw. Not all of it though but the majority.

    I enjoyed seeing Gibbs and Djourou captaining the sides and putting on a good performance. I had hoped to see Gibbs lifting the trophy himself since I consider him AFC through and through. But JD is not so bad either. Both led by example.

    Secondly, I really liked Gervinho. I guess that the problem with him was twofold. One was that it was his first season, so he needed to take time to bed in to his new surroundings. Secondly and this is more important, yesterday he was the main man up front. The others looked up to him. And he was not just one part of a three man attack. He was an orchestrator of the attack. The others saw him as an important person. And that is the crux of his form. He needs to be a man in his own right.

    RVP gone. I think it will be much better for all concerned if he goes. Yes. With him off, there will be no senior member in the team. RVP has the same effect as TH has had on Reyes. The glare the body language, the glowering face etc. With Podolski, Gervinho, Giroud we get three players who will willingly work for each other. Theo you might ask???? Yes Theo. Mentally he is not so assertive as RVP or TH14. And he can easily be moulded to be a part of a team and an individual in his own right at the same time.

    Regarding Lansbury I need not say anything. Everyone here knows my views about him. And if the crab named Denilson can be given a two year chance, at least Henri deserves a season long chance…….at least as a squad player at first and an important member like Benny was in the last four months of the season.

  18. devilgunner says:

    Rico……like AK said its a good upbeat post.

    Micko………neither any of us will be duped by yesterday’s win. But its still enjoyable to see some players we might not have the chance to see again.

    S2S…….for the good sake of the club and the togetherness of the team its better if RVP leaves. And FAST.

  19. devilgunner says:

    And for those who would say that yesterday was a JOKE cup imagine what would have been said had we lost both halves or finished anywhere other than first.

    I could write a PHD Thesis on the subject and comments had we not won the ML Cup.

  20. W.A.T.H says:

    It’s a right piss take AK…..! A nightmare month on the rd’s…! Rather you than me mate.

    Dev, As much as we still need a prob 2 players to make us ultra competitive when we have a fit squad (yes don’t laugh I know it never happens) we’re really not far off at all, we have a pretty decent bunch of players and as a team as you rightly say we could prove a lot of people wrong, still need that big strong defensive midfielder for me to make the spine top notch.

  21. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Yes S2S, you are probably right.
    Just wondered, bearing in mind Bartley’s suprise inclusion.
    Doubt if any of us saw that one coming.
    But it’ll do wonders for those home-grown youngsters hopes, who didn’t see much of a future at AFC.
    Good to see Boateng starting as well.
    No Henderson was a suprise, unless of course, he’s already booked his place on the tour.

  22. Micko says:

    Devil, I celebrated long into the night at the thought of never getting the chance to see Chamakh play again.

  23. devilgunner says:

    As you say W.A.T.H. …….. a BIG STRONG DM. No messing about with 5 ft 6 ins dwarves. We need a 6ft+ monster there.

  24. Satan to Saint says:

    @Devil

    That’s true had we not won it, don’t want to think what people would have said.

  25. Charlie George aka AK says:

    I did read that Djourou had a good 45 alongside Bartley.
    Maybe Uncle Bouldy is having a positive influence on our centre-backs?
    Early days, granted, but it’s an encouraging start.

  26. Potter says:

    Chamakh has subtle qualities that it’s easy to miss.

    He’s difficult to mark because he is deceptively slower than you think.

  27. TT says:

    Why are you guy’s so negative about Denilson? There is not a better side or backwards passer in the game than him…..

  28. Charlie George aka AK says:

    That’s just one of them Mick.
    Another is his very fashionable haircut.
    Never a hair out of place.
    Even after a game!

  29. devilgunner says:

    Charlie……..stop being jealous of Chamack simply because you cannot fashion your hair the way he does….. 😉 😆

  30. devilgunner says:

    Seems that in the end the biggest looser will still be JT after all. Imagine a team ful of black players playing the chavs. 😆 All would refuse to shake his hand. Now that would be a sight well worth seeing.

    ENGLISH football is on the brink of civil war following the John Terry racism trial.

    The case has polarised opinion within the game, despite Chelsea’s captain being cleared of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

    There is even talk among black players about meeting to discuss forming their own breakaway federation to deal with race issues and discrimination.

    It is also possible many black players will refuse to shake Terry’s hand before the start of Premier League games.

  31. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Curses’, Coach, was I really that transparent?!!!

    OK, let’s start on Squillaci.
    I’m not jealous of his hair….

  32. goonster says:

    watching those kids celeerate with the trophy was the biggest highlight. hopefully we ll kick on from that. morning mama bear, how are ya?

  33. rico says:

    good thanks goonster – it’s a nice thing for the kids, agree there and that is probably what it was more about..

    AW seeing what the younger ones have in them, now for Monday and then Asia…. We play Citeh out there I think….

  34. goonster says:

    yeah yeah……he ll eventually. you just watch. besides he’s a big boy you dont expect him running around with kids.

  35. goonster says:

    and i hope we smash them……when are we expecting the big guns? ala giroud, podolski et al? i cant wait to see those guys in red ans white. am creaming my pants already. come on arsenal come on.

  36. goonster says:

    am expecting something huge from the lads this season. hopefully we ll nab a cup or two. the league is still a longshot but who knows!

  37. goonster says:

    the more i watch this kid the more am convinced he’s gonna be huge for us in a few years. here’s hoping arsene fastracks him like he did a certain fabregas. watch out guys……kristtoff olson is coming!

  38. Merlin96 says:

    Afternoon all.

    Lansbury is 21 year old and midfielder really start peaking at aorund 23/24 year old.

    He is one of ours box-to-box but unfortunately there is Wilshere and there is Ramsey.
    Plus there is OX, more of a central midfielder than a winger….

    The best chance for Lansbury is to convert to right wing-back or RB as I suspect Wenger is going back to hsi beloved 4-4-2 without Van persie but with Walcott starting to link-up with Giroud.

    Or without Walcott, a Giroud-Poldolski pairng.

    Lansbury can be our modern verison of a tigerish DCM, our “first playmaker” with an Engine box-to-box like a driven Steve Gerrard….who can score and who can run deepinto the box…to score…..but with defensive steel and the ENgine and pace to track-back once attack breaks down…

    Really, we have youngsters with vast potential, but how many of ’em will fulfil their potential..so far?
    – Pennant
    – Bentley
    – Merida
    – Eastwood – no pace and lack of tatcical awareness
    – Barazite
    – Ozalhup

    And today we have:
    – Yennaris
    – Embecilio
    – Olsson
    – Gnarby
    – Eisfield
    – Bellerin
    – Toral
    – Aneke
    – COnor Henderson
    – Lansbury

    How many of ’em will displace senior players?
    – Arteta
    – ROsicky
    – SOng
    – WIlshere
    – Ramsey
    – OX
    – DIaby
    – COquelin
    – Frimpong

    We can only have a 25-man squad with unlimited Under-21 homegorwn players.

    Sad but true.
    Out of 50 youngsters with “vast” potentila, perhaps only 1 or 2 will make it into senior team.

    Of all those 16 yea rold foreign players that Wenegr bought and Hale End Academy products, I counted onyl 2 made it:
    – Fabregas
    – WIlshere.

  39. rico says:

    There could be a few who make it Merlin, the biggest question imho is, do they have the patience to wait for their chance.

    Lansbury has, he’s soon 22 years old and he deserves to be given this chance – if it hadn’t been for glandular fever, i think he’d be a similar stage in his career as Jack Wilshere

  40. goonster says:

    so what’s new with your boy theo, rico? think he ll stay? if robin leaves i dont think he ll stay.

  41. Merlin96 says:

    But then Goonster, so was a certain 16 year old Frans Merida…….

    But the key to any successful youngsters are that questions:

    1 – Have they got pace?

    2 – Have they got that tactical awareness of a 16 yea rold Fabregas who always play with hsi ehad up, looking for a clear opening a split secong before hsi opponents realsied that…and when he passes, he only knew where he will be in antiicpation of a return pass….PASS and MOVE..how many youngsters have this knack?

    Ramsey?
    You see how ponderous he were in selecting hsi passes..and his lack of tacticlaa wareness allowing Torres to rob him of the ball not once but twice when he wa slooking to pass the ball when in our third of the pitch.
    You either have it or you don’t. Ramsey does not have it.

    Olsson?
    Gnarby?
    You will neve rknow how they will develop when they are 19/20 year old coming off the bench and patiently waiting for their turn in the limelight…….like a certain impatient Bentley, afetr a wondrous goal against Boros and demnaded 1st team football as a starter to sign a new contract…Wenger got rid of him real quick then…and where is Frans Merida and bentley nowadays?

    Remember JET as well?
    Where everybody were salivating over him – a cert as ENgland Internaitonal?
    But where is he now?
    Mark Randall? WHo?

  42. goonster says:

    JET was a loose canon and merida was in a hurry. have you seen this kid play? olson that is> the guy oozes class. he reminds me of TR7 and ozil combined.

  43. goonster says:

    randall????? please merlin he was shit and was always shit. beats me how it took so long to be rid of him.

  44. Merlin96 says:

    New Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski can’t wait to work with Arsene Wenger, said the Germany man.

    New Arsenal man loves style and flair of Arsene Wenger so much

    Podolski is set to lead the attack for the Gunners in the Premier League, next season.

    And Wenger’s brand of attacking football is a big cause for excitement, he said.

    “What I like about him is his passion for attacking football. He aims to play with style and flair all the time. Those are his principles and he’ll never compromise on them,” Podolski told ESPN.

    “Some people are disappointed with him, but they need to realise what a great coach they have.”

    Podolski hailed Wenger’s faithfulness to Arsenal, as well.

    “Mr Wenger could have moved on to another club, I am sure, but instead chose to stay and build something over the long term.

    “He lives and dies by his own ideas and Arsenal is his baby. His reputation has been built on improving players and if he can help me take my game up a notch or two I’ll be delighted.”

    ____________________________________________

    More and more, I see Wenger is going for 4-4-2 with a twin-striker if Walcott stays, which I think he is smart enough to sign a contract extension beofre Asian Tour starts this weekend.

    Playing with Poldolski and Giroud cna only improves Walcott as without Van Persie, he will be on the receiving ends of more balls when Theo plays more centrally.

    ANd Poldolski is more of a playmaker on the left side (Gerivnho better wakse up and starts scoring more!) with either Giroud or Walcott leading the line.

    I think Walcott is daft to leave as he will beocme a nonetity without that kind of support from Wenegr and Arsenal Attacking Football.

    No otehr teams cravign success will have the same patience with hm as Wenger in persisting with him throughout the season to develop his potential.

    Actually without Walcott we wil see OX, Lansbury, ANeke, COnor Henderosn and other yougnsters liek Bellerin haivng more playing time on the right flank as a true right-side attacking midfielder….and not a blind alley runner like Walcott struggling to learn to be a right flank attacking mdifielder…

    Actualy, a 23 year old Walcott is at the right time to rotatet back as central striekr and a pity he throws away this opportunity if he is greedy enough to leave for more doss…

    If Vieira, Bergy, Henry, Pires can stay for 88 yeare or more, isn’t it sad that a greedy git like Theo refuses to stay for another term?

  45. rico says:

    JET – didn’t he have a dad attitude and smashed his car up – big mistake under wenger

    Randall – absolute garbage and another with attitude..

    Merida and Barazite were two I wish had stayed, and i suspect they do too….

    But, neither of them are playing week in week out now

  46. rico says:

    just don’t believe the paper stuff and i don’t beleive he is asking for £100k a week either and you know, i reckon he may just fancy playing in the same side as Podolski, Chamberlain, Jack etc etc…

    Also, I’m not 100% convinced RvP is a gonner just yet….

  47. goonster says:

    hmmmmm you re up to something thete merlin. you think wenger ll change his tactics? its unlike him but i hope he does. lets play to the strenght of the team not one man. 442 ll be great with poldi and giroud playing off each other. theo on the right and gervinho on the left. hope you are right though.

  48. Merlin96 says:

    Arsenal are thought to be plotting a move for Holland midfielder Ibrahim Afellay who appears destined to leave Barcelona this summer.

    Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the 26-year-old and tried to bring him to the Emirates Stadium back in 2010, before he opted to join the Catalan giants instead.
    However, Afellay’s agent Rob Jansen is now claiming that his client is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp as they bid to bring in Athletic Bilbao ace Javi Martinez.
    Injury problems forced the former PSV Eindhoven man to miss much of last season, although he did come back towards the end of the campaign to prove his fitness ahead of Holland’s disappointing showing in Euro 2012.
    Inter Milan are also rumoured to be interested in Afellay but Arsenal are hoping his friendship with Robin van Persie will give them the edge in the chase for the £6m-rated Dutchman.
    _______________________________________

    WHo knows, maybe Wenger had found another “MArc Overmars” situation.

    Remember that an Overmars at his peak was taking the FOotball World by storm till a serious knee injury “cut short” his career…..and nobody wanted to take a chance with him, a “yesterday’s man”.

    Till Wenger took a punt on him, and the rest is hisotry.

    Perhaps Wenger may take a punt on Afellay, provided he is not too greedy and demand Barca’s salary rate.
    A nice squad member…

    Or MAncini may buy him to lure Van Persie to sign for ABu Dhabi..
    “C’mon Robin, just sign and I promise to buy your best mate to keep you happy.”

  49. Merlin96 says:

    Well, goonster, you can see the way this team is shaping up with tactical flexibility, a fluid formation with versatile players interchanging attack with midfield and flanks to centre with the TEAM attacking as a UNIT and defending as a UNIT with enough pacy forwards and midfielders to launch a devastating counter-attack like teh Frenh Spine which took less than 5 passes from box to box to have a shot at goal.

    The nucleus of last season to 2012/13:

    …………………………….Szczesny

    …Sagna………Koscielny…..Vermaelen……Gibbs

    ………………SOng…………………….Arteta
    ….OX………………………………………………..Gervinho
    ……………………………………Poldolski
    …………………….Giroud

    It is like Poldolski in a free role, able to drop into midfield as in 4-2-3-1, as well as Gervinho coming forward as in 4-3-3.
    Adn aslo a devastatign counter-attacking as in 4-2-4 with OX cuttign in from flanks to join in counter-attacking plays.

    We have a solid anchor in SOng-Arteta with both OX and Gervinho increasingly improving their defensive duties as well as “all-action” POldolski in a free role from midfield to attack or vice versa.

    Imagine our bench:
    – Rosicky
    – WIlshere
    – Diaby
    – COquelin
    – Firmpong
    – CHamakh
    – Esifield
    – Lansbury
    – ANneke
    – Santos
    – Jenkinson
    – Djourou
    – Mertesacker
    – how many more youngsters???

    Perhaps a break-thru’ season for Ganrby, Toral, Bellerin, Olsson like a certain 17 year old Cesc or 18 year olf Wilshere?

  50. rico says:

    Why goonster – he has only said what most of us feel, nothing more, nothing less. He has criticised Stan Kroenke and the way he is allowing our to run the way it is…

    I agree with Robin…

  51. rico says:

    Aneke & Frimpong are not ready to be on the bench, both need a loan, as does Esifield..

    Chamakh needs to be gone, I’d rather Park than him

  52. goonster says:

    rico he didnt have to come out in the press and say that. why didnt he say this while he was injured? he’s a back stabbing son of a bitch and should be sold pronto! right now i hate him more than nasri and ade combined….atleast we didnt invest in their future like we did his?

  53. Merlin96 says:

    Van Persie?
    He is no Steve Gerrard nor Rooney and most likely goes for more doss in conjunciton with winning trophies and title.

    If Ferguson is really serious, Van Persie will prefer to join ManU to prove his credibility that he is leaving to win trophies and not to grab petrodollars.

    Learning from alst season, Wenegr will give him short-shift adn move him out before Asian Tour starts like “good riddance” and moves on to rebuild hsi 3rd Team.
    Wenger will have no time for disloyal players to disrupt his pre-season training.

    SImialrly, this week, he will give notice to Walcott to find another club or sign.

    Let’s see who will be on the plane this weekend as Wenegr will not like to repeat that alleged incident with Nasri travelling to Asia and quarrelling on the return flight.

    Walcott is replaceable with the likes of OX, Benik, Joel Campbell, other youngsters plus new buys.

    Rememebr, Walcott had jsut starting to develop a budidng udnerstanding with Van Persie…and certainly not with Song or Gervinho or Rosicky where few balls are passed to him last season; hence no big deal if he is gone as MIDFIELD has not developed any understanding with him…only with Van Persie.

  54. rico says:

    But reading his statement goonster, this was not the first time he has expressed his concerns.

    I am glad he has been honest and said what he thinks, rather than do a ‘nasri’…

  55. devilgunner says:

    And for once I agree wholeheartedly with the Goonie lad Rico. RVP may have been a great footballer last season but there are many other cons to consider right now…………

    1) He has stayed on the treatment table much more than out of it.
    2) He never uttered a word against the club while he was there.
    3) He will not have a bigger season than the last one.
    4) He will get injured again. And for long periods.
    5) This is the last time that AFC can get anything for him.
    6) Anything above 18million is a bonus. We got him for 2.35m.
    7) What he has said in his statement shows he is a ‘Brutus’.
    8) He will take around 130kpw…with that you can pay 2 players.

    Get rid off him. And fast. Maybe the others can knock some sense into Theo. But if he does not sign sell him now.

    But still………I will sell RVP immediately.

  56. devilgunner says:

    And bdw Good Afternoon Fine Folk.

    Charlie……..now do not start about Squilly. He may look like a horse with such a jaw, but never in my wildest dreams I can see you imitating that. You have got such a nice good looking face, that I can imagine the horror if you tried to look like Squilly.

  57. rico says:

    Merlin you are merely guessing what will happen this coming week, the club has said they hope RvP remains loyal to his contract – Rvp has not said he is leaving, nor has he submitted a transfer request as yet..

    Theo has not said he is leaving, nor has he submitted a transfer request…

    Lets wait and see what happens, and anything could as both players are still under contract for one more season

  58. devilgunner says:

    Try the Jack Wilshere look Charlie. The one on the left and right of the screen. It will be easier for you. 😉

  59. Merlin96 says:

    Goonster, I don’t see Walcott re-signing with us as he gone greedy afetr a 20-minute cameo at Euro2012….like Bendtley.

    If he stays, he is just a squad member with Wenger switching his attention to develop OX, plus other youngsters.

    Walcott did not demonstrate any loyalt to Wenger, and to Arsenal FC. WHy should Wenger care about him anymore?

    Wenger vlaues loyalty and if you do not demonstrate loyalty for what he had done for you, plus with readily replacement in OX, Benika dne ven Joel Campbell waiting in the wing, Wenger will just move on and get rid of you to the first buyer that meet his selling price.

    Van Persie?
    He is worse than Adebayor who wa shonest enough that he wanted more money.
    SImilarly, Nasri said he wanted more money.

    That hypocrite….only has the guts to coem right out now isntead of liek Adebayor and Nasri during negotiation, just plain honest to say “I wnat more money…”

    Love for Arsenal when you are coming to 29 year old, only one FULL SEASON with Arsenal FC and then you f**K off?

    Pleeeeeeeeeeeaze..be honest like Adebayor and Nasri and said right out:
    “Arsenal FC refused to match my expectation of 200,000pw”.

  60. goonster says:

    now that’s odd…..devil agreeing with me! its the sign of the apocalypse people! God help us.

  61. rico says:

    I respect your view and goonsters on RvP devil, but just imho, i’d rather he stayed, if he does it means the club have finally woken up and signed a couple of bloody good players to make it stronger..

    If RvP’s statement brings the changes that we here all so often say are needed, wouldn’t it have been worthwhile?

    Ok, if he returns and tells AW that no matter what he does in the TW, he wants out this summer, then yes, sell him to the highest bidder, but until we know that his true intention is to leave this summer, i hope he stays…

    Afternoon to you too devil 😉

  62. rico says:

    This was back in September 2011…

    Henri Lansbury extends Arsenal contract

    England Under-21 international midfielder Henri Lansbury has extended his contract with Arsenal.

    The length of the new deal for the 20-year-old, currently on loan at West Ham, has not been disclosed.

  63. goonster says:

    that’s cause nobody wants that one legged freak. now we have the upper hand, if he wants to stay……….give him a pay cut kinda contract. that ll learn him.

  64. Merlin96 says:

    Rico, I said before.

    Wenger and Gazidis may show some balls for once, forgo that meagre 10 to 15-mil offered by Mancini and refused to sell Van Persie for any price…willing to let him leave on a Bosman……like Kanu, WIltord, Edu, Campbell, Pires, Gallas……

    You think Van Persie will sign if Barca or Juventus make a serious bid of 20-mil…..and Wenger siad to him like said to Vieira: ‘It is you decision to stay or leave…”

    5-mil signing-on bonus is equivalent to 1.66-mil per year for a 3-year contract or….33,000 pw.
    Or RvP new saalry = 130,000 + 33,000 = 163,000pw…less than Adebayor getting now…

    Even if RvP loves Arsenal FC, at his peak now, it will be crass stupdiity for RvP to sign for 160,000pw.

    RvP knew his value and I am sure his agent is talking tough on 200,000pw.,,which the likes of ManU, Abu Dhabi, Chelski, Juve, Milan and even Tiny Totts can match easily..afetr selling Modric…

    It is all money RIco..and any European team that matches Arsenal valuaiton of 20 to 25-mil, RvP will be sold like a shot.

    Business is business nowadays, especially afetr signing Giroud and Poldolski..adn with to come after RvP and Walcott are sold…

  65. devilgunner says:

    Sell RVP and invest the money in Moses. And give Wigan a couple of players on loan for a whole season to help them and help us.

  66. Adam says:

    Rico. We saw Man City’s tactics last year. Given the option, they will wait until the final moments before doing a deal so we are in a disadvantageous position when it comes to replacing him. If he definitely does want to leave then perhaps the club should invite bids, but state a deadline. Tell van Persie and whatever slime ball representatives he has who have been illegally negotiating behind Arsenal’s back, that there is a deadline after which the matter will be closed. If Usmanov were in charge we most likely would not be facing this sort of thing year in year out.

  67. rico says:

    Fair enough Merlin, but until anything happens etc………..

    devil – that’s what is good about blooging, we all have different views 🙂

  68. devilgunner says:

    If I were the chairman I would do this. I will go and buy what I require, that is a CDM and another forward, type of Moses. Both Giroud and Podolski can play the lone striker role so I have enough cover in dept. Then tell RVP that he will not be captain if he does not go but stays. There are three options….1)either he signs by 31st July and on my own terms now. 2) He is bought by some club who give me what fee I want. or 3) He can invoke the Webster ruling, that is, he buys the final year of his contract, that is 5 million if he wants to go. Otherwise he will just be a squad player.

    Goonie said the following……….give him a pay cut kinda contract. that ll learn him. (obviously teach him not learn him) But he is right. Many people see it that he has the upper hand. IMO with RVP it is the club who has the upper hand. And if he goes on the treatment table…………just give him the bare minimum.

  69. rico says:

    Hi Adam,

    You are right of course about Citeh’s tactics, Nasri is living example, but honestly, I don’t believe RvP wants to go there.

    I think he wants Chelsea or Man Utd, and my money is on the latter….

  70. devilgunner says:

    Yes Lady. on everything we have different views. And the best thing is that we can agree to disagree and still remain friends.

    Yes, even on how one should like chicks. In the pen or in the saucepan with some sprinkling of herbs in pineapply juice. Sluuurrrppppppppp

  71. Adam says:

    Why Man Utd? If Arsenal don’t have enough world class player for him, who at Utd fulfils that criteria? Rooney? Out of those two I would have thought Chelsea. But the the van Persie family are full of it aren’t they? Didn’t Bob say that he wouldn’t go to another PL club and his Mum too and didn’t his wife say that she wanted him to stay at world class playerless Arsenal for the sake of everyone, including their kids? How big can one man’s head actually get?

  72. Adam says:

    Now come on Devil. Let’s not get carried away here. Squilli’s nose-bag was custom made in Newmarket.

  73. rico says:

    devil – I’d tell him to sign before we leave for Asia, and to be honest, if he travels there, I think he’ll stay 😉

  74. devilgunner says:

    Yes, that sort of deadline Rico. But I still stand by what I have said earlier if I was the chairman. And I have been consistent on my comments since last December if you remember. And with the two new signings I feel that AFC have the upper hand. The only exception is that I wanted Lewandowski. But I will not be knocking Giroud’s head off before seeing him for the first season at least.

  75. Adam says:

    Apparently Man City are going to offer 38 million Euros for Robin, according to reports coming out of Italy. I was going to say that you couldn’t make it up, but someone clearly can.

  76. rico says:

    Just my gut feeling Adam, Chelsea because he can keep his family happy in London and would replace Drogba.

    But, if he really wants to be at proper club with a great manager, it has to be Manure….

  77. rico says:

    Well I think you should replace PHW devil 🙂

    In fact, anybody, I just someone would replace the old tinker….

  78. Adam says:

    I am not so sure that Ferguson is all that great anymore Rico. If he goes I would be happier to see him sling his hook and go abroad. Wherever he goes, the ramifications for the Arsenal board and their relationship with the fans, plus Stan’s reputation as a cheapskate, will be the biggest things to come out of it.
    There may be trouble ahead.

  79. Adam says:

    I would accept it Rico and buy a proper big signing. Someone to show the fans that we are an ambitious club.

  80. Adam says:

    I like Higuain too though he’s had an injury hit season this year. But he is a lovely footballer. Do RM want van Persie though?

  81. Adam says:

    The more interested clubs, the better. A bidding war with a clown like Mancini involved seems like a great idea. I would want to do business with any club that thought Milner at £25 million was a good deal.

  82. goonster says:

    look why are we still talking about this? sell the fucker pronyo. better still let’s tell those all rich bastards to give us 10mil plus dzeko. yeah dzeko, he’s younger and have a point to prove. and he’s not injury prone plus he’s a beast in the air.

  83. HunGooner says:

    I don`t think they would buy him as they have enough strikers. But a straight swap could be a win win scenario. Very unlikely though…

  84. rico says:

    Adam – I’d also prefer he went off overseas – but just can’t see it, we’ll know soon enough…

    As you say though, if he does go and we sign a proper player, fans will be get over it in seconds, but after Grimandi’s alleged comments about Giroud being his replacement, I’m not sure we will re-invest any money…

  85. rico says:

    RM are one of the clubs linked with RvP, so anything is possible, but Higuain, can’t see that happening….

  86. Potter says:

    38 million euros’ = 30 million £. If he reiterates that his thoughts are on going then take it. If however his whole premise was to bring our transfer policy into the open , then he might be staying . Should that be the case then expect one more coming in because obviously the two signed so far was not enough.

  87. Adam says:

    Goonster. I wish you were on the Arsenal board with that no-nonsense attitude of yours. What about a straight battle between Ferguson and Mancini, like in Spartacus, with the winner getting to pay £30 million for van Persie. Fergie, with his nose bulging red with burst blood vessels comes out swinging a whiskey bottle, while Mancini, still in nappies and clutching a blue and white striped scarf dipped in crude oil from Arabia whirls it above his head. But his floppy hair gets in his eyes and Fergie lands a crashing blow with a highland malt bottle to Mancini’s prehensile jaw. The battle rages on…

  88. devilgunner says:

    Personally I hope that he heads off to Shitty.

    1) So he can sit down on the bench.
    2) So that he will remain in the EPL, thus the chances of him getting injured are bigger.
    3) So that if we win against shitty we can lump it down his throat.
    4) He will get more abuse at the EMS if he signs for them.

    Milk them as much as we can and buy Muller plus Moses with the money. Or get De Jong as part of the deal.

    Make us difficult to beat Arsene. The attack will take care of itself.

  89. goonster says:

    adam you know me………i ll sell the punk the very minute he opened up his gob. not to fergie though, i hate that red faced gum chewing uncouth son of a whore.

  90. Potter says:

    Interesting that Fiorentina seem to be interested in taking Vela , following our supposed interest in having Jovetic to replace Van Persie. They are said to want £ 20 million perhaps we are offering a little less plus Vela.

  91. goonster says:

    devil you re on fire today. you and me ll make one mlean mean money making machine……what do do you say big guy?

  92. rico says:

    goonster – i still think this has all been orchestrated by Dein for reasons we all know about…

  93. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Hey Stan, sorry I missed ya last night.

    Btw Stan, you simply have to stop ‘creaming your pants’, it really won’t do you any good. 🙂

  94. goonster says:

    so what are you implying rico? that this is just to get red and white to take over? bah, conspiracy theory. the fucker is 29 he’s looking for a huge pay day before he hangs up his boots. am telling ya this has ‘greedybabor’ written all over it. one great season= a massive pay day. boy i outta…….sell him now!

  95. rico says:

    My own view goonster and, I have to stress that I have no evidence to support my view, but yes, I think there is more to all this.

    David Dein is very close friends with Wenger, he must know that many many fans would have him back on the board tomorrow.

    R&W know that too and that letter was ready and waiting a while back..

    Is RvP the sacrificial lamb?? Who knows..

    But yes, just my own thoughts…

  96. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Hello Rico, and it’s not raining.
    But tomorrow it will. 🙁

    I’m good Stan. Thanks.
    I trust that you are behaving yourself in The Land of the Free..?

  97. rico says:

    Hi Kev – no no, no rain for weeks now, honest 😉

    Summer begins – you may as well go home 😉

  98. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Rico, there are, at times, some creditable rumours.
    At other times the rumours are laughable.
    Recent rumours have been of the latter, frankly crap.
    Vela to Italy???
    Is that creditable?
    Not to me.
    Jovetic to Arsenal???
    Is that creditable?
    Not to me.
    Ganso to Arsenal???
    Is that creditable?
    Not to me.
    Agents spin, the lot of them imho.

  99. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Even the Afellay rumours have more to do with Barca wanting to move him on than Arsenal trying to sign him.

    Arsenal need to move some out themselves.
    But it’s not looking likely unless AFC give them away.
    Either that, or send them out on loan until the said players’ contracts expire.

  100. goonster says:

    am good AK……just bored. what i ll give to have a british broad with me. these americans are so high maintainence. am almost broke. my world for an irish chick right now.

  101. Charlie George aka AK says:

    The players’ that Wenger is after, are not in the gossip pages.
    They’re usually the players we’ve enquired about but made no offer or have moved onto someone else.
    But that doesn’t stop ‘that’ players agent from leaking the story, in order to whip up some interest in his client…

  102. devilgunner says:

    Charlie…..did you see my comment regarding you and Squilly earlier on????

    I am with you regarding the gossip columns. Some of the players mentioned are just that……….gossip or agent’s work.

    I just hope that AW unearths another Koscielny, or Sagna ‘when he was yet unkown’.

  103. Charlie George aka AK says:

    I think that Adam is on the right track about a deadline…
    Maybe Wenger will make one last try at persuading RVP to stay at his next meeting, but if it fails, then fix a deadline?
    But the club have to draw a line in the sand and stick to it.
    We don’t want this saga dragging on up till late August.
    As Adam said, Mancini will do his utmost to undermine Wenger’s preparations.
    So AFC have to have learnt from 12 months ago, or else they’ll really look stupid.

  104. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Coach, I read ALL your comments… 🙁

    Stan, you juxt gotta learn to relax.
    Try some yoga.
    Wath swears by it. Well he just swears when he trys it…

    I gotta go back to work.
    See you guys lata.
    Squilli haircut. Me???? 🙂

  105. devilgunner says:

    What about Serge Aurier of Toulouse?

    Ben Stambouli of Montpellier?

    Cyriaque Louvioun of Le Havre?

    Nicolas Isimat Mirin of Valenciennes?

    Felix Bastians of Berlin?

    Lars Bender of Leverkusen?

    Sebastian Rudy of Hoffenhaem?

    Christian Gentner of Stuttgart?

    These are all between 19 and 25. But they are all good technical players. Which will not cost a lot of money to buy.

  106. rico says:

    Charlie – agree re the players we are linked to but one we could be likely to sign is Mapou_Yanga-Mbiwa….

  107. devilgunner says:

    Mapou is good also Rico. Can play anywhere in defence and as a DM. Better then Vertonghen infact.

  108. rico says:

    AW/IG have insisted that they won’t have a repeat of last summer, we’ll soon see…

    However, I do believe we will sign a player on DD…

  109. rico says:

    goonster – this with RvP is different imho, he’s not trying to bleed the club dry, just asking for one or two signings that will make us contenders again…

  110. devilgunner says:

    I can feel safe in telling you that that is an excuse he is using Rico. He does not want to bleed the club dry. but he can bleed shitty dry. That is why he does not want to sign with AFC. He knows its his last payday and he wants to milk it. And in return AFC will get a good fee for him.

    And deep down AW + the club want to sell him.

    At least that is my opinion.

  111. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Still think that a late bid for Dempsey is a possibility.
    Adding Bartley to the squad negates the need for another defender.
    Although don’t rule out a bid for Shaw of Soton.
    Midfield is pretty much sewn up.
    And Fabianski/Mannone haven’t left, so a back-up g/k might be off of the agenda?
    I suspect a couple of young unknowns are more the likely signings than any big time, big wage, charlie.

  112. devilgunner says:

    Personally I feel that deep down the club Do want to sell him.

    RVP realises that he will get a last big pay day.

    But I doubt that there is an agreement between them. Everyone is holding his cards close to the chest.

    AW realizes that with the money he can get he will be able to buy 2 new players and keep the club financially stable.

  113. Charlie George aka AK says:

    That’s not to say that I wouldn’t like to see a couple of big signings, because I would.
    But at the same time I also want to see some of our talented youngsters given a chance.
    It’s no good trying to second guess Wenger or the club, as you’ll only end up disappointed.
    They never do the obvious.
    That’s why we luv ’em… 😀

  114. rico says:

    Kev – we’d all like a couple of monster signing, but do we really really need them?

    I’m not so sure, Capoue/M’Vila – a defender who can play along the back line and a keeper – that imho is all we need….

    That’s about £35 M at most by my poor accounting 😉

  115. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    This topic has been covered by great debate,and one I regret missing!!
    I had an early one last night,so missed it.
    Yes,I’m still alive,and will be verbally jousting with you all soon enough.

  116. rico says:

    Well, as you head to work, or start your day, I have to head of and sort my chickens…

    Stay safe all, have a good day Scott, and a good night to all others, ’til tomorrow…

    Nighty nighty

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