Football should be a Joy!! Defender Gone and No to Barca again!

Kyle Bartley headed off up north yesterday as he agreed to join Rangers on a season long loan, as much as many of us didn’t want him to go, it will do him the world of good and he’ll come back a stronger player than he would if he sat on the bench for us or played the odd reserve game.

This morning Sky Sports report than Arsenal have rejected another offer from Barca for Fabregas, they don’t say how much this offer is, only than we have said no….

As we await our fate in the Champions League draw, Kev has looked back :

Going to football should always be an enjoyable experience, not something that ties us up in knots but I’ve spent a large part of my Arsenal supporting life fretting about the Gunners and it’s probably spoiled many games and occasions like Cup Finals, even if I didn’t realise it at the time.

But in 1987 I decided to go to the Littlewoods Cup Final and not screw myself up about the result, instead I was determined to enjoy the whole affair, win, lose or whatever.

I hadn’t been to a Cup Final with my Dad since 1969, so it was great having the ‘old man’ alongside me, it just added to the enjoyment.

We had great seats, thanks to my Uncle Bill, who had got them via his referee’s association, although it meant we had to sit amongst the neutrals.

No way would that spoil our day though….

George Graham had just taken over, so we Gooners had no indication of what lay in store for us, a Cup Final was a bonus after some fallow years. The club was still recovering from an indifferent period under Terry Neill and Don Howe and George had come in like a breath of fresh air.

The opposition was Liverpool, so in my heart I expected us to be rolled over by the then Champions and when Steve McMahon squared the ball for Ian Rush to score, it looked ominous.

Prior to that game, Liverpool had never lost a match that Rush had scored in, so I just settled back in my seat and accepted the inevitable, still cool, calm and collected…

Well, as we Gooners all know, it was Charlie Nicholas’s great hour in an Arsenal shirt, along with a bit of help by Arsenal fanatic Perry Groves. Paul Davis and Steve Williams were immense that day AND the spell of Ian Rush was broken forever.

Norwich actually beat Liverpool later in that season even though Rush scored but it was Arsenal that ‘did it’, we broke his spell…

I had a wonderful day, I took it all in and thoroughly enjoyed the whole occasion.

Did I learn anything???

Well 6 years later I was like a man possessed during the FA Cup Semi-Final with Middlesex Hotspur, a couple of guys standing next to me said:

‘If Arsenal were half as committed as me, then we’d never lose a game’…

Whilst in Cardiff in 2005, I disappeared from my seat and marched up and down beside the hot dog stalls in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium, frantically listening to the cheers and chants of USA, USA, USA, as the penalty shoot-out with Newton Heath took place.

When Vieira got the winner I did an Ussain Bolt back to my seat and leap into the celebrating hoard of Gooners leaping about, planting a big kiss [Bartez style] on the bald forehead of a guy in front of me and my son James, who I’d been chatting to for about 3 hours.

I didn’t know his name, but who cares? We all go mental during those moments of success.

I can’t say that I enjoyed those games, the result yes, but the game?

So I’m approaching this season with my 1987 hat on. I’m going to enjoy my football despite the best efforts of the Press/Media to spoil it for me.

If we win, great, if we don’t, well, that’s life Gooners.

Try to enjoy your footie, it’s a fantastic game and we support a fantastic club, the only club in our minds and hearts….

 

Written by allezkev

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arsenalDK
arsenalDK
14 years ago

FAntastic post kev, really nice to have a different respective on this whole saga. We have to stand by the team, and is really isn’t the players’ fault, they are just trying hard, asthe manager has chosen them to play..

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Nasri to city could happen,l’equipe are reporting that we are willing to do business.Reading about it seems like a massive offer??

Will
Will
14 years ago

Brilliant post. Heads up Gooners, we are not the Spuds.

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

Agree with rico, if we lose, but fight to the end then OK we cannot complain, but as you say, not many are showing passion and love for the shirt..

Are we signing anyone today?

Will
Will
14 years ago

I share your disappointment Rico but another year up in Jockland will turn the boy into a man and then he can easily handle the thugs that play in our league.

stopper
stopper
14 years ago

Good words. With all this negative and depressing stuff going round in the media and the immature rantings of many bloggers, lets remember that it’s all about 90 minutes of actual games, with actual players and not transfer tittle-tattle, who should be at the club and who shouldn’t, and repetitive analysis supposed failings.

Will
Will
14 years ago

Yes but I wanted to feel like I belong 😉

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

Oh rico 🙁 i hate suggestions, rumors, “reliable sources” etc. mr. Korenke has not helped us at all until now, so why should he? I’m deleting friday as my favorite day unless we draw OB in the CL 😀

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Bartley’s move is good news for me, as it means we’ll definitely get another experienced defender in. Wenger has resisted the temptation to go with youth again.

Will
Will
14 years ago

Savage, unless Wenger feels Squill is good enough.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

i do believe l’equipe,because being french they seem to know alot about Arsenal.

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

Morning all, great write up kev.

My dad went to that ’69 cup final. Missed 71, went to 78, missed 79 and went to 1980.

He thought himself a wembley jinx, so vowed never to return when we were in a final at Wembley.

So he thought he’d chance it when the finals were held in Cardiff. And attended in 2001……

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

Magic of the cup?

Yeah, fucking voodoo magic.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

I think Wenger has been very clear in stating he wants a defender. And we do know he’s been putting in bids. The only concern could be that he gives up on Jag and picks up Squid mark II from WhoKnowsWhere FC.

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

If Nasri goes, we can still get Mata with a profit!

Personally i would prefer he went, as he has no will to play for the club, the same with cesc.

And what if Bartley is used as a midfielder in Scotland?
Would he have trouble adjusting to the central defence when he comes back?

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

Ballagbum?!

Mind your language Rico, it’s a family show!!!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Great post by the way kev.

Sorry morning everyone 😉

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

so if we do sell fabs and Nasri,who would be your two replacements??

Im thinking Mata for Nasri,who for fabs thou?

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

If we sell Nasri and Cesc. I’ll go and support Oreint for the season.

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

Lukaku has agreed a 5 year deal with Chelski..

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Arsenal dk,

Bartley will be used at the back like he was last season with Rangers.he was really shining to he got injured there.

Looks like we have some sort of link up with Rangers,i think this could work well for some of our young players.

comeonyoureds
comeonyoureds
14 years ago

Stuck over here in France I read a lot of what and what probably isn’t going on with the Arsenal. A lot of these bloggers are really dragging the team through the mud. I love Arsenal always have done, always will, even if when we lose. Stupid ain’t it I sometimes go to work feeling on top of world, full of pride because the teams pulled off a great result… even when we lose my workmates know when to leave off.
What I don’t get is that for a long time we were crap, but I still loved the Arsenal, and now that we’re realistically fighting for honours on every front it’s all doom and gloom. Maybe if we returned to being mid-table it’d get rid of all those tosspots who think they’re real supporters.
Get behind the team if your a real supporter, but don’t forget there are more important things in life. Support the team the way you want to, but to all those bloggers GET A GRIP!

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

Mr Islington

if that is true, then it is good news, they are a club with at rich history, and I would rather, we sent some of our youngsters out there than to a championship club..

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

What’s interesting has been seeing Arsenal linked with some random kids in the last few seasons who have gone on to be stars. Ozil, Di Maria, Albiol, Modric, to name a few.

In other words, we’re talking about Mata, but I do wonder about these Gotze links.

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

rico i am a central defender at my local club, I think i will try to impress wenger, although i’m afraid that if i
m better than squillaci, that old goat will sign me on a free and tell the fans that he couldn’t find better 😛

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Rico,

With those two sales alone,we could buy Mata for 25m + 17m for Cahill and still have 23m to play with and thats not adding to that fact we have sold clichy,now selling eboue and if bendtner leaves??

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

I’m left shocked and dismayed Rico!!

There’s 3 teams now in the FF league. Hotting up people! Come on get your teams in, you can change it around as much as you like for another week!!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Im basing that on 65m sales of Nasri and cesc.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Please DK tell me that’s not true….morning everybody

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

rico, if we bid for sturridge, they would sell, i’m sure of it… He did really well at bolton (and against us) last season

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

What goonerstan? The Lukaku thing? Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, are reporting that the signing is imminent i’m afraid 🙁

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

But they also say that he will not be joining them before january

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

I’m withholding judgment on Lukaku. A lot of young strikers never match their early promise. Benzema, Jeffers, Aliadiere, Cassiano, etc.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Morning HHers, top post 47!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Surely thou Arsenal will have to go out and splash a bit buying new players to replace them,if we were going to keep them both anyway we should just use all that money to strenghten the squad.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Who knows Lukaku could be a worse Ade-barn-door 😆

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Morning Gooners, thanks again for some great sub-editing Rico 😉

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Rocky, Mr Is, ADK, Will & stopper, thanks for the positive feedback.
Mr Is, Nasri out and Mata in???

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Hope u r right savage that guy looks like drogba mark 2..he scares me. The sight of the old and new together in the same club scares the bejesus out of me. I don’t that creep drogba teaching him a thing or two about how to handle our unstable defense…oh well verm can handle him being Belgian and all.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Add Bojan to that list. That guy was the next big thing. Didn’t happen.

Rocastle
Rocastle
14 years ago

Hahahah a quote from Le Grove on yesterday’s members day

“The players finished off the rain soaked occasion by smashing balls into the crowd, rumour has it, Chamakh was told to aim his at the goal. ”

Superb.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Have anyone seen the nashit to man shitty news….hope its true. Perhaps wenger has finally seen the light. Boy I hate NASRI more than I even hated ade or cashley!

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Blimey Rocky, your Dad has had some stinking luck with cup finals.
Morning Lee, cheers mate.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

The interesting thing about Drogba was that his career only kicked off at about age 26. That’s why I won’t judge Chamakh too early.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

And talking of late bloomers, you have to wonder why Madrid let Mata go?

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Sorry savage but bojan had messi to contend with..he’s never gonna really improve without regular football and I think pep prefers pedro to him.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Sure, but there were other places for him to play. Compared to the hype he was getting, you would have expected him to be better than Pedro, Sanchez, Affelay, etc.

Perhaps he’ll just reconstruct his career, like Mata is doing after leaving Madrid.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

I actually thought mourinho brought out the beast in drogba…

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Just remember with Bojan that at the U21 WC for Spain, he was sitting on the bench.

As for Mourinho + Drogba, same as Wenger with Pires.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Bojan did very well under rijkaard but faltered under pep…so am guessing its a coaching thing. I don’t think pedro is better than him though. Given the same opportunity he ll blossom.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Its never been this boring in the arsenal world but underneath this quiet exterior something tells we are about to witness the rebirth of THE ARSENAL….something is about to happen that will shock the whole football world….this is just the “quiet” before the storm…you ll see.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

udinese

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Lee…are u for real..we get to play udinese…..great! At least we avoided the long arduous trip to russia..its a win win situation

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

why are we always so unlucky? 🙁 udinese are the toughest of those teams 🙁

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

that’s who we got GS!

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

ADK they are fairly good, right?

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Udinese was the toughest pick of the 5 for us, although Rubin are dark horses.

Tough game for us, but on average we should put them away otherwise this season is a waste of time for us.

Udinese are losing their best players right now (Inler, Sanchez, Zapata), but with all that cash I’m sure they’ll get more in.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Well getting them was our fault anyway,the way the players didnt bother to show any heart and desire in the final few months,i think we got what we deserved.

Alan S
Alan S
14 years ago

Without RVP, Nasri and possibly Cesc we could really struggle against this lot.

I’ve read that qualification will guarantee 17m into the coffers, the same amount that Bolton are looking for Cahill…. methinks the two could go hand-in-hand.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

True. The price of our fall away is now clear. But imagine if we don’t qualify…

Alan S
Alan S
14 years ago

ADK, we’re not unlucky, the way we lost 3rd place is almost laughable!!! We shouldn’t even be in this situation now!!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

The wenger “OUT” will get a lot louder i tell you!!

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

guys what do you think, udinese are thinking now?

Alan S
Alan S
14 years ago

Im sure thy are thinking… ‘Hope that Squillaci plays’… and ‘we should nick a goal over there’!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

If Wenger were to go,i would say say he was a genius that failed to evolve with the times.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Dk,

Udinese will feel they have a great chance and will know the pressure the club is under right now.For them this could be the best time to play us as we have liverpool and utd squashed between.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Hey you guys at least we are still better than the lot down the road….hey we ve got champions league football for crying out loud.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

True stan,but we shouldnt have been in this postion in the first place.That’s the frustrating thing.

ArsenalDK
ArsenalDK
14 years ago

Mr Is, i never thought of it that way… But nonetheless, if we cannot beat them, we don’t deserve the champions league…

Alan S
Alan S
14 years ago

CL football…. not yet we dont! The fallout for not qualifying will be massive, the team didn’t have the spirit or fight after losing to Barca last year, how do you think they would react to not Qualifying for the CL???

The first 4 weeks will have a huge effect on our season…. lets hope we dont pick up where we left off!!

Will
Will
14 years ago

If we don’t qualify, there are serious issues at the home of football.

goonerstan
goonerstan
14 years ago

Don’t worry DK we will beat them….both legs!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

It will be intresting to see who udinese buy after losing there best three players.They have a decent team and will be no mugs thou.
They are not a bad attacking team and we have no fear taking us on.

We will have to keep Di Natale out of the game,he can be abit of a handful.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

My nerves are starting to kick in for this season.Arsenal have done nothing to get my hopes up about.

I’m usually a very confident gooner,but if im being honest i am worried about next season

Will
Will
14 years ago

It is so sad we have come to this.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

It really is will

Alan S
Alan S
14 years ago

Whats more frustrating is that it could all be turned around with the necessary signings…..

Will
Will
14 years ago

I really think we have to shift the deadwood quickly. Nik B and Almunia especially.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Very true alan.We have seen it all before and it’s the fear from the fans that makes it seem like everyones being negative.

The truth is we FEAR what’s going to happen next season and all thou signing’s wouldn’t gurantee that would win something,it just show’s abit of ambition in my opinon and show’s us fans that we do want to be winners and not just happy to play runners up and talk about how close we were.

Will
Will
14 years ago

Ambition is the key word Mr Is.

Adam
Adam
14 years ago

Does the arrival of Stan Kroenke signify anything Rico? Surely the club don’t need his presence to complete the three signings that are due to arrive this afternoon.

Will
Will
14 years ago

The arrival of Stan is perplexing unless he wants to sign the cheques.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

It is will and we are lacking init right now.
Does stan even have a voice or want a voice at the club.I find the whole sitution is bizarre to me.

Adam
Adam
14 years ago

Mr Is. I doubt whether a businessman as successful as Stan would not want a significant voice at the club. The whole thing is ripe for conspiracy theorists and as we know that is the one thing that Arsenal fans excel at.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

“The arrival of Stan”

Haha, sounds like a movie title or something.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

It’s amazing how many experts we have on the inner workings and discussions at Arsenal HQ.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

what is the point of the England v Holland match a few days before the season kicks off?

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

So what is he doing there then.everytime i see him he’s either just standing there with his hands in his pockets or just sits there a say’s nothing.

Same with IG….wtf does he get payed all that money for??

I know it’s probably not like that,but that’s the way i’m seeing it!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Who you referring to Savage??

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Everyone who says Stan does nothing.

When people say the club is doing nothing, what they really mean is that they’ve made no statements to the press. It’s not the same thing.

Will
Will
14 years ago

I have to agree Savage, we can’t afford to make our business known.

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Would it hurt as our largest shareholder to let us know what he’s intentions are at the club???

I’d would just love to know what it is he does 😉

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Exactly lee,it’s madness mate.

Will
Will
14 years ago

The point of the game is to injure as many Arsenal players as possible 😉

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

I thought it was a wind-up!!

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Will, I dont want to tempt fate……

Adam
Adam
14 years ago

Mr Is. He runs sports franchises in the States. Arsenal is a very different thing. Traditionally we have supporters whose lives and families are caught up with the club. Horizons have broadened somewhat so perhaps it migh take him a while to understand the club/fans bond. A statement of intent would seem to be a good thing though I agree.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Intent, now there’s a word….

Adam
Adam
14 years ago

Lee. I can’t argue with you there.

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

I agree that I’d like to hear more from Stan. But he doesn’t owe it to me.

Honestly, the only thing that really matters to me is that the right decisions are made. Just because he doesn’t tell me what decisions are made, doesn’t mean they’re the wrong ones. I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

I didn’t realise Wenger, RVP and Nasri banned for Udinese….boy in the bubble me!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

I didn’t imply that they were wrong.I’m still not 100% about him thou, and while i will give him the benefit of the doubt for now,i would still like to know what he wants in return from Arsenal.

He’s not here for nothing!

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Lee that’s why there is no guarantee we will win the tie.I will be sweaty during those games i tell you. 😆

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Savage,

I agree if he makes the right decisions i will have no qaulms about him.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

We do love to do things the hard way, don’t we?

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Interesting quote from Theo:

“Hopefully the players trust me a bit more now as well.”

Mr islington
Mr islington
14 years ago

Has Theo been feeling a bit insecure then??

Will
Will
14 years ago

I had noticed that some of the players don’t give Theo the ball.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

In a David Hillier way?

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

Yeah, who knows what goes on behind the scenes? I had no idea that Kolo and Gallas were barely talking.

Will
Will
14 years ago

More a Martin effin Hayes way.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Maybe Stan has flown in to rubber stamp the sale of Nasri..?
There’s no why imo that a businessman like Stan would allow SN to run down his contract and walk for nowt next summer…

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Hope so AK, get someone in who wants to play for The Arsenal!!

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

AK, did you find a little bloke the other day?

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Yeah, i beat him to a pulp. Then i smashed up his zimmer-frame… 😀

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

I said “Don’t mess with me Grandad”… 😆

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Udinese then Kev…

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Arsenal’s record vs Italian clubs is;
W D L
12 9 6…………

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Lee, if it was a Spanish club, then i would worry, as Arsenal’s record vs La Liga is very poor…
Arsenal’s record vs Serie A is quite good.
So no, i’m not worried….
It won’t be a pushover, but our defenders don’t have the same problems in european footie as it’s more technical and therefore suits our players…

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

I don’t think that Udinese have an Italian Rory Delap, do they? 😀

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

But they’ve got Paulo Shawcrossini….

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Then they should go and see a Doctor….. 😉

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Offski, see ya lata Lee

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Be good…

Savage
Savage
14 years ago

I’m beginning to think our transfer sagas are going to run to August 31. I’ve been sitting here waiting for signings like the rest of you, and I’m starting to think they might still be 3-4 weeks away. We’re going to have to sight tight for this one.

arsenal fan
arsenal fan
14 years ago

good post,
udinese so now that is a tough one,
just have a funny feeling about this one, especially the away trip……..

oliver
oliver
14 years ago

morning all…good post, ak…so it is udinese, then. difficult task, but certainly not insurmountable…i have see a couple of predictions that udinese will eliminate us…i think some folks are over-rating our opponents, to an extent. will not be easy, but I think we are still the better side and will get the job done…

Mohamed Zubairu
Mohamed Zubairu
14 years ago

Football is an entertainment rather than a warfare. It is good to win but I think we should not forget to enjoy the entertainment. It is important that we learn to enjoy the game. It is sooooo good that Arsenal plays the entertaining game. By all means we should win something this year but let us not forget to enjoy the games in the process.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Boo to you…. 😀

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Thank you Oliver and AF….
Well said Mohamed…
How’s your Mum Rico, you deserve to put your feet up this weekend…. 😉

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Well, from what the BBC report, Silent Stan has gone back to America!
So, it’s all action as per usual…… yawn….:?

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Just as well your Mum’s got you Rico….

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

I shall move on boss.
Not sure about all the doom & gloom over Udinese…
Need to put the tie to bed at home in 1st leg…

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Could do without the 2nd leg [a] just a few days before a trip to Newton Heath.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

This boo fella, any good?

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

That’ll do for me Rico… 😉
Just glad it wasn’t Rubin Kazan…
You going to any of the early games Lee?

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Myles Palmer at it again Rico…?

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Don’t think we’ve got Nasri, period, Rico…
RVP will be a loss….
Up to Chamakh, Vela & Gervinho to do the job…
At least it’s the home leg…

stevepalmer1
stevepalmer1
14 years ago

Very poignant post, brought back memories.
Your right there AK, football should be enjoyed, we all get upset when we lose but we should never be upset enough to geer or boo the players, if a supporter gets in that kind of state he must believe his team has a given right to win, which we all know to be nonsence, if two teams are playing we know by form which team should get the result, a lot of the time it runs to form , but some times when teams dig deep and make that extra effort it may just swing their way, and that in a nutshell is football, Bloody great game, and good post

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Gonna try Kev, I let my season ticket but have a potential source!! You? We’ll need to sort out which game for the HH Xmas party?

Will
Will
14 years ago

I would like to lay a proper 4-4-2 and have Gerv and Theo upfront.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Cheers Steve. Praise indeed.
We all get caught up in it mate…
Just got to keep a bit of balance.
But i have had my moments believe me…..

stevepalmer1
stevepalmer1
14 years ago

I was thinking more on the lines of a 4-4-4 give us a bit of an advantage but on a par with Utd

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Rico, i really cannot see AFC letting SN run down his contract.
But if they did, then i would be very very critical…
To do that would be plain stupidity…

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Lee haha.
Did you say you let your ticket go?
This summer??

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Just heard on BBC5Live that AFC are in talks with Barca..
According to the reporter, if an agreement cannot be reached, then Cesc will then ‘ask’ for a transfer…
Don’t know where the reporter got that info…. agent maybe???

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Kev, someone has it for the season…..

Will
Will
14 years ago

If I were Cesc, I would be annoyed that Barca didn’t value me that highly. First they let me go saying I wasn’t needed and then they try and buy me back on the cheap.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Lee, that makes sense, don’t let it go.
I’ve got two, but my eldest son and his mate have them….
Although i’ve been tempted to tell AFC to poke em, i still hang onto them.

K-TR7
K-TR7
14 years ago

Good read AK.its a refreshing read with all the speculation flying around.

Will
Will
14 years ago

Rico, I agree. Someone needs to chat with Cesc and open his eyes.

K-TR7
K-TR7
14 years ago

Udinese play a 3-5-2 formation.they have di natale who has been the calcio top scorer for the past 2 seasons.they have however lost sanchez,zapata and inler this summer.they are also behind us in terms of preseason preparations as their league starts later in comparison to ours.they also play a similar brand of football to ours.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Cheers KT…

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Gotta be honest Will. I suspect that the fee that Barca pay doesn’t bother Cesc in the slightest.
This is gonna drag on Rico i fear…
But AFC must stay resolute and not give way to Barca’s bullying tatics…

K-TR7
K-TR7
14 years ago

Apparently ryo has been denied a work permit 🙁

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

£40m cash not a penny less and no barca rejects included in any deal….and if you keep spouting off in the press the price goes up!!! So pay up or fuck off…..THE END!!!!

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

KT, what a shock…..NOT!! Red nose would of got him one….

Will
Will
14 years ago

KT, is that because we are not Man Utd?

I agree with the fee thing, he is the asking price, meet it or do one.

K-TR7
K-TR7
14 years ago

£40mil cash up front.no add ons or variables.pay full value or no deal.

Lee
Lee
14 years ago

Anyone see DB’s goal in Van de Sar’s testimonial?

K-TR7
K-TR7
14 years ago

Ryo has gone from high school to Arsenal first team in just 6 months.if thats not a special talent i don’t know what is.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

KT, that is just total crap……
If Ryo was a ManUre player he would have got one last season.
Arsenal need to kick up a fuss about this. Watch very carefully what happens when other clubs apply.
Wonder if this will change things re: Lansbury now?

Will
Will
14 years ago

Where did I see what Rico?

And yes, I say bother Overmars and Bergkamp’s goals.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

It’s on Twitter.
apparantly he’s going back to Feyenoord… 😳

Will
Will
14 years ago

We really should ask for an explanation over this one.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

I am really pissed off…

Will
Will
14 years ago

Kev, wait until it is official.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

Yeah your right Will, i should know better, but it wouldn’t suprise me…

Will
Will
14 years ago

We need to stop falling for media BS .

Will
Will
14 years ago

He was loved in Holland and they rated him highly.

Will
Will
14 years ago

Yeah the fact he is highly rated doesn’t mean he is a special talent, unless Fergie says he is a special talent……then he is.

Will
Will
14 years ago

IS that for the game tomorrow?

Will
Will
14 years ago

Good night Rico.

I was hoping it wasn’t the final squad.

Doc Brody
Doc Brody
14 years ago

Just popping in to say Hi all. I’ve been sticking to only checking this blog once a day and no other sites. My sanity

A quick skim of the comments tells me no new signings.

arsenalDK
arsenalDK
14 years ago

Doc, Wenger has indirectly said that we will not buy anyone of quality

From Arsenal.com:
And will that patience be rewarded soon? Are Arsenal close to a new signing?

“No, not at the moment,” Wenger replied. “We hope to give you some good news soon. Next week, something might happen.”

Will
Will
14 years ago

No Doc, none.

allezkev
allezkev
14 years ago

According to YoungGuns, Ryo Miyaichi’s work permit will be discussed and decided on ……. August 15th…
So there is still room for optimism.

No Fabregas on the plane to Portugal…
So the London Standard got it wrong.. There’s a shock.. 😉

No Gibbs, i did read that he had an ankle problem.
Traore at left-back at St James’ Park it seems!

Miquel and Lansbury on the plane. Hope they both get a run-out.

Ryo should start in my opinion. May swing it on the 15th..?