Just two weeks ago, we were on the eve of the League Cup final, looking to use that trophy as a springboard to bigger and better things. As we all know, it went horribly wrong the following afternoon, and I think we clearly have not yet recovered.
We did win our next match, a simple replay drubbing of third-tier opposition, but we have gone from the position of competing for four trophies down to just one remaining, in no time at all. Previous seasons – previous months of March – have seen bad losses have a knock-on effect, with our team unable to recover quickly.At this moment, things seem to be playing out similarly once again. Clearly, this confidence/momentum thing is a hurdle we remain unable to overcome…
Another familiar, depressing scenario is our mounting injury list. We lost our best centre-half in JD on Saturday – I think the Orient replay is the only match in which we have not lost the services of a first team member…Our inability to keep our players fit for the run-in is yet another all-too-familiar hallmark of recent seasons. I think all these factors combine to deplete confidence throughout the team….
Know what? It seems Arsene also feels this way, if his post match comments are anything to go on…He said…verbatim…”You could see something has gone. Not in our effort or attitude but confidence wise.” That is from the manager himself – and probably about as close to an admission that he will give regarding the squad’s fragility…
We are all frustrated and disappointed regarding what happened at Camp Nou earlier this week – but that moment has come and passed, and we needed a strong performance and result today. I think there were certain aspects of our performance which were good, but I don’t think we were mentally strong enough to grab a result…It was there for us, but this inability to bounce back and capitalize has been a continuous problem during the last few years…We simply still cannot seem to overcome our fragile confidence…
To be certain, the opportunity was present today and was an opportunity on at least two levels. For one, a win today would see us in to the FA Cup semi-finals, with a chance to return to Wembley and put the disappointment from thirteen days ago right. For two, it was a chance to win at Old Trafford and show United that we can beat them on their patch, and that we are capable of overtaking them. The former is now irretrievably gone, and the latter will be that much more difficult as United seemed to have added to the psychological edge which (I feel) they already held over us. Namely, the knowledge they can beat us when they need to, and that we have not figured out how to beat them…
United’s team selection provided initial hope, as Fergie named seven defenders in the side. Yet, a closer look showed that with Rooney and Hernandez up front, he probably intended to defend and hit us on the counter. Not for the first time, it worked like a charm.
Arsene named probably as strong a lineup as he could, considering who we have out. The only surprise was Gibbs’ inclusion, so I guess Clichy needed a rest.
Al, Gibbs, Kos, JD, Sagna, Jack, Denilson, Diaby, Arsh, Robin (Captain) and Samir started, with Shea (fourth choice keeper now elevated to deputy), Clichy, Squil, Eboue, Ramsey, Rosicky and Chamakh. No place on the bench for a certain Nik Bendtner, I immediately noticed. I was otherwise occupied on Friday, so if there was news about him being injured, I missed it. On the other hand, if Arsene decided to drop him as a means to get him focused back on what he needs to do for the team, it is most welcome. Either way, Nik’s omission would not make or break us…
Surely we should have been able to overcome the starting eleven United fielded…Shouldn’t we??
The short answer is no, we couldn’t…I shan’t go into a blow-by blow of events as they unfolded; rather I’ll quickly hit the main points. The first thing I noticed was – from the off – how hard United worked. They closed space quickly and Hernandez hassled and harried our defenders. The two things Hernandez did poorly was cross into the box and get easily caught offside. One early instance of the latter ended a promising move for United.
We gradually got our passing game going and started to build some moves. Samir sent a nice cross into the box on one occasion, but nobody was home. This was a problem that hindered us throughout the afternoon – we simply could not (or would not) get players into the box often enough to latch on to crosses or covert rebounds. We controlled possession, but were often sloppy or wasteful with the ball. When United had the opportunity, they broke quickly on the counter – one such early move saw Rafael send a free header over after his brother Fabio got free to cross into the box for him – a warning that United would be dangerous on the counter.
As the half hour mark approached, we had the better of play with no cutting edge. Robin fired one shot straight at Van der Sar from outside the box, but nothing else. Most of our good buildup and approach play had bogged down right around the United box, with players either choosing one pass too many, or (as Diaby often did), holding the ball for too long and ultimately getting dispossessed. United broke on the counter, Rooney had room to feed Hernandez with a cross, and the latter forced Al into a good save.
Unfortunately, our keeper could only push the ball away with his outstretched left hand and Fabio followed up to put the ball into the empty net. Contrast this with several subsequent Arsenal chances, where Van der Sar made initial saves, only to allow juicy rebounds. Unlike Fabio, however, there was no yellow shirt in position to get to any of these rebounds, and there was always a United defender (usually Vidic) on hand to clean up.
The goal stung us into action and we threatened an equalizer, primarily through Robin. First, our captain drilled a low shot in, which Van der Sar tipped around the post. Then Robin got a free header from the subsequent corner, but unfortunately put it wide. Just before the whistle, Samir put a low shot between Evra’s legs, but Van der Sar was able to react and smother it. Despite having the better of the play, we went into the break 1-0 down. As with previous recent meetings, I suspect United were not too bothered, as they were able to pick us off on the counter.
Arsene predictably made no changes at the interval, although I thought both Arshavin and Diaby were good candidates to make way. Our other “lightning rod”, a certain Neves Denilson, played pretty well in the first half, I thought. There were a few instances where he gave the ball away – but the aforementioned pair, as well as Jack and Samir did so too. Denilson’s passing was generally good, he also made a few interceptions – there was one instance where he picked Rooney’s pocket right on the edge of our area – and he played overall well against United’s admittedly weak midfield. However, it was also Denilson who had a big hand in United’s second goal, losing Valencia (who made his return from a broken leg sustained in a Champions League tie versus Rangers) on the counter.
When Arsene made his clockwork on-the-hour substitution, it was Denilson who made way.
About the second goal – it came from a quick break after we had put real pressure on United. Just a couple of minutes into the half, Kos brought the ball out from defence and made a driving run into the United penalty area. His initial shot was blocked, but the ball broke for him, and he forced Van der Sar into a fine save. Quick as a flash, United countered, JD blocked a Hernandez shot, but Rooney was able to collect the ball and head the ball in off the far post from an acute angle. Arsenal heads visibly dropped at this point.
For the next ten or so minutes, we were all over the place as United spurned three good chances to add a third goal. Samir got a sniff of goal, but fired straight at Van der Sar. A minute later, Arsene made the first change, bringing Chamakh on for Denilson. Started to regain control of the ball, maintaining possession moving it to the edge of the box. Much of our joy came through Sagna down the flank – he was often able to get all the way down the field and put several good crosses into the box, but there were rarely yellow shirts in the box. In one instance, he put one right on target to Chamakh, but the latter could only weakly head it directly at the United goalkeeper.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, Arsene made a double change, bringing Rosicky and Ramsey on for Arshavin and Diaby. It was particularly good to see Ramsey finally make his return for us. I would have preferred he started, but it may be that Arsene wanted to ease him back in to the rotation. Regardless, the game became stretched at this point, with both sides getting chances, and both keepers making solid saves.
Rosicky forced Van der Sar into an excellent diving save with a strong shot from (of course) just outside the box. Al made an excellent one –handed stop from Hernandez off another United break. Unfortunately, JD and Sagna collided in a goalmouth melee and the former was down for several minutes before being stretchered off. Post match, Arsene stated JD has a dislocated shoulder and is done for this season.
The immediate effect is that we had to play out the remainder of the match with ten men; the effect on the remainder of our season may be far more costly, considering the latter’s form and importance to our defence. United dominated from here and should have padded their lead, with Rooney and Giggs wasting chances, and Al making more fine saves from Rooney and Hernandez. We have one final sniff deep into injury time, when yet another excellent Sagna cross found Rosicky free in the area. All he needed was to redirect the ball to score, but he missed it completely. We didn’t threaten again and it finished 2-0…
There was late drama when Scholes took out both Chamakh and Jack, but got only a yellow for the first challenge – as if we expected Foy to do anything about it? Nevertheless, the game was long since lost when this happened and we have more important problems than Paul Scholes…
After hearing all week about how we would bounce back, what an opportunity this was, it was discouraging to see a makeshift United side handle us like this. While we made Van der Sar work hard, Al also saved us – United had chances, almost all on the counter, to easily double their tally.
The things most disappointing to me were our pedestrian approach play and our inability to counter at speed. When we dispossessed United, we often broke slowly – there was one instance where a possible break was on, yet Chamakh passed the ball backwards! United ‘s first goal came from a player following up and putting the ball home after a save – we had countless similar chances but never once got a yellow shirt in position to latch on to a rebound.
I also did not particularly like our body language. I could feel the “here we go again” from the players after United got the opening goal. Arsene’s body language was not much better – he shook his head after Arshavin shot nowhere from what looked like a promising move, and looked to me like someone who expected things to develop the way they did. But as Arsene said, we lacked confidence and I think that it clearly showed.
I am not sure how to correct this. One thing I have urged Arsene to do is scale the praise and talk of mental strength back. After the match, he said he thought we could still win the league? How about this time, he does not address that, instead says that we have to work our way out of this and leave it at that? While refraining from publicly criticizing any of the players, his message inside the dressing room can be “Guys, it’s time for you to figure this out yourselves. I cannot play the game for you, you have to stand up and work your way through this.” At this point, could it hurt?
At this point, it is difficult for me to stay positive. Yet I will support as best as I can – at the end of the day, I want our team to win things, be successful and fulfill our potential. I think all of our supporters want that in some way. So it is most disappointing – although not unexpected – to see Arsenal supporters at each other’s throats on the blogs and forums.
Some supporters think things are fine right now and success is inevitable; others think we are headed nowhere and need to blow this up now. Many – if not most – occupy the middle ground and think we are a good side with something still missing. Regardless of what one personally feels about Arsene and the players, we are still Arsenal supporters, and should at least tolerate different opinions, regardless of whether we agree or not.
Some of the stuff I saw this afternoon was absolute poison – how can we give our players the encouragement and boost they need when we slaughter each other like this? I wonder what the players and club staff think when they read these things? As I am sure that many do…
For our players: Guys, just remember who you are and what shirt you wear. Yes, it has been a very difficult two weeks, but now is not the time to sink into self-pity or just give up on everything. We still have a chance to win the league – I will not try and convince you that our chances are as good as they were immediately after the final whistle at Anfield, last Sunday; because clearly they are not…But neither are we out of this – we can still win it, but that will require us to, once and for all, stop feeling sorry about this injury and that bent referee and just focus on the opposition, and getting three points at a time.
The league is still there to be won, if we can rise to the occasion and take it. It starts at the Hawthorns this weekend…
Once again, over to you fellas…
Written by Oliver
morning,
sorry olivers post is a day late, but some things are worth waiting for…
Now i’m off back to bed 🙁
Arsenal to win the title ?Don’t make me laugh. It is not impossible but for that to happen ,Wenger must find a way to score against teams that pack the midfield ie anti soccer.
If he can do that with a defence of the error prone FM,it would be the greatest achievment since 2004.
Get well soon Rico……!!
AT, for us to win the league wenger needs to find layers with a bit of heart, passion, spirit and commitment cos we have only a few and thats the biggest problem.
Too few of them WATH….
We know that Lee thats why they show no fight or backbone when things don’t go right and why we just seem to lay down and die when we need to stand up and be counted and this isn’t the first time it’s year in year out hence it seems wenger has learnt nothing about his players or has he now simply lost the knowhow of how to motivate his squad?
where does wenger go from here? it’s not like this self-destruction is something new to this squad!!
Exactly Lee, so why does it keep happening….? weak minded players or weak minded manager…? or worse, Both…?
the really frustrating part is that for ages the squad has cried out for cover or improvements in certain areas, the only person that has not been able to see it (doesn,t want to see it) is AW…and as long as he’s at the helm, this will continue every season and the fckers have got the front to hike the season ticket prices!!!!
Morning all,
Very painful write up Oliver, as usual you missed nothing out, i hoped you would especially the bit about loseing.
rico get up you lazy girl, those dogs need a walk.
Well what do we do now, had our arses well and truly kicked in the last couple of weeks, my phone has been red hot with good freinds with consoling messages fcuk em, its now on silent. I’m sorry but i have wrote our season off, i cannot see us beat anybody at the moment only happy we dont have to play Orient again. Next season, Thats what i intend to concentrate on, a new Manager, new Players, it may upset the Board to dip in their pockets but either that or empty seats, many say others will fill them, with this type of football are you sure. We know he had the chance to buy good players, but he didnt, a very bad decision, fans called for it but he never listens. i for one am sick of Belief, Concentration,Motivated. I want In Your Face, Take That,and Get In There, i want animals Hungry animals, with only one thing on their minds, i want a new Manager, somone that can see a problem before 70 minutes, somone that can out the deadwood mercylessley, and bring in Quality, not bargain woofs, thats all.
Morning Gooners.
“Where does Wenger go from here?”
Good question Lee, unfortunately i doubt that Wenger really has a clue what to do, because this scenario is a repeat of 12 months ago, 24 months ago, 36 months ago, ad nauseum.
Wenger would need to change tack and team building policy, and do we really think that ‘old stubborn bollox’ is going to do that and admit he’s been wrong.
Morning people,
Get well Rico, it was a bit unsusal not to receive a daily post on HH and gracias to Oliver for writing this piece.
What will it take for this current team to have a winning mentality?
Despite all the suggestions yesterday, about signing this or that player, do any of us REALLY think that the Board will sanction a big Splurge in the Summer Window, or that Wenger will bring in the quality we need???? Because i’ll tell ya what, nothing will change and we’ll make NO big signings…
Two/three solid no nonsense players, that have some winning mentality….he just needs to get the blend/mixture right,we’ve got some good players coming through add to them some quality plus what we’ve got already and we’d have a kick ass team…
Hi AK, totally agree, a load of false promises and an 11yr old Namibian superstar will be the only signing!! It’s a fcking joke!!
Great comment Steve….. Agree with everything you say also with AK, Wenger won’t spend his ego won’t let him and the board and happy to sit by and watch, maybe after next season is a write off and we win nothing yet again and the bowl is missing income from ppl that have actually had enough then maybe only then with they act…?!?!?! Another season of failure looms and I talking about next season not this one. If we win the league it’s a false dawn and then we’d have to put up with Wenger saying told you so and we were good enough etc etc and things would be 20times worse…!
Couldnt have said it better allezkev, same sh!t different season.
Winning the Jack Sh!t Award season after season has become a norm and Wenger saying, “We could find eet ees an advantage to be recovered physically and mentally for the games ahead. I dont feel like the season is slipping away”, doesnt fill me with hope or confidence that there’ll be silverware this season.
Lee spot on with what we need and what we crying out for BUT can you say hand on heart that you think or expect wenger to go out and buy those 3 players that will make us a great team…? I’d say no cos he’s not done it the last 3 seasons….!
WATH, didn’t look at that angle….that would be a total false economy and what slim chance we had of strengthening the team would totally disappear….
I dont profess to be an expert on footballing matters but it’s as plain as day what this team needs and it’s not like we cant fund it, by selling the sh1t/injury prone players or dipping into the “war-chest” that AW has available or is that bollox?
You would have thought that after 6 seasons of winning bugger all, that the penny would have dropped, but the simple fact of the matter is the Board aren’t bothered about winning trophies, they don’t give a flying fcuk about us, and frankly i think Wenger has no time for the fans either.
Things will only change when you hurt them in their pocket, that’s why i never buy anything from the club except a programme. People aren’t going to give up their season tickets as we’re worried about ever getting one again. So what do we do?????
When you’re in a position of leadership for so long, become too comfortable especially with other decision makers, stubbornly refuse to make decision that will delight your people and still expect them to trust you…arent such people referred to as delluded leaders?
For him to still think we’ll win the prem on such a fragile squad is laughable and if he still cannot see what everyone sees as what we need to improve the squad to move on then, he aint better than a delluded leader.
Wake Up Wenger or Take A Hike!!
🙁
I think Chamakh will be fine given a chance and more starts.
Get rid of most of the others
Lee, you are totally spot-on, sell the dross to finance some quality, but quality with heart/desire.
But HE won’t do it…. Admit he’s wrong??? No bloody chance.
BTW Superb post, again, Oliver.
AND GET WELL SOON RICO, WE ALL MISS YOU….
Wath/KT were making some great suggestions for new signings yesterday, but all i was thinking, after almost every player Wath/KT posted, was, too expensive, won’t pay the fee, won’t pay the salery, etc etc etc
AK, who was being touted as potential recruits? I read somewhere that Mexes is a free agent in the summer, there’s one of our new faces…..
But a club with our pedigree/history etc shouldn’t be shopping on the cheap, surely not?
Lee, there is most definately funds to be spent and thats not including what we’d get from selling the players that are fringe and not good enough. Take into consideration what we’d save in wages and our finances would be quite considerable to bolster the squad with the quality that we need BUT as AK says, for every layer that we mention or think would improve us your first thought then is will we pay the going rate for the transfer fee… NO and will we pay wages to entice the player to want to join us… NO again…. All because we want bargain basement deals cos we lack ambition to but the necessary…!. T-Buzz isn’t is called a dictatorship….?
Lee, KT/Wath were suggesting players like Subotic/ Hummels, both play for Dortmund. Then i asked them how much? It varied between £18 to £25 mill. Well, i thought, there’s no chance of our tight-arsed club spending that much, despite the lads probably being spot-on about those two players’ quality.
So to trigger a spending spree we’d need to finish 5th?? what a fcking joke…
T-Buzz, when you talk about Wenger being too comfortable, you can extend that to many of our over-paid, under-motivated, big-headed, small-brained, pampered players.
Kev, gotta filter down from the top….
Lee, sadly, i think you are 100% correct mon ami.
Lee, correct again
Lee, lets get some perspective here, the board seem 100% happy with wenger, lots of fans still seem happy with wenger. wenger has free range to buy sell run the club as he sees fit and it seems without anyone “upstairs” seeking accountability from him as to why it is we keep failing to win the big games and bottling it when it really matters, thats not a knee jerk comments its fact and its now happened for the last three seasons. If the bowl is still full and the money keeps rolling in then the board are happy with mediocrity the manager is happy safe and comfy in his job and his little babies are all in their comfy zone with no pressure or worries about performing at a level to win things. IF we finished outisde of european laces and the revenue streams were cut 30% and coorporate fans decided where is the vaule in a box or club level then that for me is the only time the board would be bothered to look at the situation. It’s actually pathetic.
The manager does’nt get ripped a new arse for winning sweet f.a again!! because he got us the “holy grail” of champion’s league football next season, without hardly spending a cent….
But Mexes Lee, he’s ‘freemans’, so right up our street. I wonder if Wenger shops in Aldi?
Also true AK that ppl dont wanna give up season tkts that if things come right we then can’t get a season tkt back cos some little jcl has got one who’s only been watching Arsenal since the invention of sky tv….! it’s why I just give mine away and just go down the pub and watch with my mates who are all of the same opinion, it’s not “OUR” Arsenal anymore. The club has totally lost sight of the fact the club is all about the fans…!
lidl….
fraud, a fairly good description!
Wath, the danger of finishing out of the top four is we may not get back straight away [Liverpool]. The Chavs will spend to remain in it, ditto Mancs & Cittie, whilst we can’t, anymore, discount the Scummers and Daglish looks to be sorting out the Scousers, so we better be carefull here amigo… Remember, the scousers finished 2nd, then 12 months later it was Europa Lge……
It’s a dog’s dinner Wath, whatever way you look at it, the buggers have us over a barrel.
Lee, is there a French equivalent[?] to Lidl/Aldi?
AFC??
Hey, buy-one get-one free stadium tours at the Grove, super, wonder if they’ll show us the trophy room???
Ak, who cares about getting back into mate if it has the desired effect then the board surely have to then sit up and take notice, i’d take a few seasons of proper rebuilding if it meant we were better in the long run as all we are not is pretending….! We were made promises of competeting for the best players and making Arsenal a world power and yet none of that has materialized, I can accept being an average side but not to be lied too and not to charged stupid money to watch an average side and then not to be spoken to as if I have blind faith and am totally oblivious as to what is actually going on. Again not knee jerk but thruthful and honest.
Oh btw, i did hear that Song is definately out this weekend, anyone heard different?
Ak, there isn’t a trophy room 😉
Nope wenger said Song def out for WBA……. Oh goodies means squidgy plays….! Hmmm I think I need a drink.
Wath, i have a lot of sympathy with your view mate, i really do. And in a lot of ways you are absolutely right. My only concern is, would we be able to attract those players we need and who and i would want??? I’d be gutted if ‘those players’ decided to go to The slum instead. maybe one season, we could get away with that, but are we sure we could get back in 12 months later? I’m sure we could, but it’s one hell of a risk. Also, would we hang onto Nasri? Or, perish the thought, Jack???
Wenger shops at Billingsgate, thats why the players look like fish outta water!
Drink…. better start now mate, make mine a double…….argh what did i say that for.
AK, it’s all about mentality mate, players a re also not stupid they know who around them are pulling their wright and who isn’t, if you can clearly see a change in players attitudea dn commitment i think 90% would be happy to take a step back to take 2 forward, those that dont can piss off anyway and I’d bet most would be the ones who dont pull their weight. If you don’t want that shirt on your back then cheers… bye bye…. Would soon show who’s up for it and who ain’t..!
Haha T-Buzz,
Wenger shops at Barnados, how else could he explain Silvestre?
Billingsgate, are u sure T-buzz………?
I’d of thought the quality would be too good for him 2 shop there 😉
It also comes from the management Wath, surely HE can see whose pulling his weight or not, then again, the blind leading the blindingly useless.
Sure AK but am not on abt him am saying if we dropped out the top 4 and someone knew came in and brought in new players the existing players would see they are good or show commitment so you’d show commitment even though u’d be out of europe a yr as you’d see that things would now come right?!?! hence that would lessen the players that might wanna jump ship and as said i’d bet the ones to jump would be the crap ones anyway who think they better than they are, yes that would be you bentner…
Righto, i really enjoyed that, a good old moan is good for the soul.
Wath/T-buzz/Lee, see you amigos later, be good.
wath, to be continued, later
Cheers AK chat lata. . . . . . .
Indeed it is allezkev, enjoy the rest of your day! 🙂
cya Kev…
Seem Petit can see whats wrong as well, least we not the only ones.
we need to get on the 2 for 1 grove tours and smash AW rose tinted bins!
He’s never there Lee, he’s always at Colney…! Maybe write on the dressing room walls…. “Show Some Commitment”
‘morning all…get well soon rico…
very disappointed to see arsene’s comments on the dot.com…he is back to giving the players effusive praise which they frankly don’t deserve at this moment in time – just lay low, defer comment, and let them work through this. i have see little evidence of our vaunted “mental strength” recently…i don’t think bigging them up and telling them “it’s ok, it’s not your fault” again and again is helpful…
i have no idea where he is coming from with his “nobody in england thought we could even fight for the top four”…some – but not so many – may have thought we would be the team that city replaced this season, but nobody suggested we would not challenge for one of the slots…
while i do not agree with a lot of the vitriol directed at him and the players, it is condescending nonsense such as this that fuels it…
Totally agree Oliver these comments with the normal rhetoric prove nothing and merely frustrate and annoy fans even more, if he’s going to say something its about time he changed his tune instead of saying the same rubbish over n over as if we are all so gullable as to believe him.
hi wath…i understand the need to boost morale and confidence, but i feel arsene overdoes at certain times – this being one of them…
i am certainly not advocating he throw anyone under the bus…just that he scale back the lavish praise – just a few days ago, he admitted that confidence has taken a knock…we lose 2-0 at ot and he is bigging up “mental strength”…i think everyone would be better served if he deferred comment…or simplified it to a more neutral “the players have shown the ability to bounce back in the past, and this is one of those situations where they are going to have to work their hardest to get us back on track”…
arsene most likely wants to absorb the criticism for the players, but i think he sometimes goes too far. some of the poison out there has been ugly – we always see that, it is a part of life, and i don’t think it helps anyone; but i have also seen fair, responsible, constructive criticism. if the players are shielded from exposure to even that, it will be that much more difficult for them to develop a consistent, winning mentality.
The only time i am going to listen to anything Wenger has to say, is when his sentance starts. I have £150 million to buy a new team with. that sounds a lot of money untill you add up what he hasn’t spent in seven years
So he is happy that we are competing for the top 4 with the squad he put together?
Time to leave sir.
guys, i don’t think he is happy at all…and i don’t think even he believes some of what he is saying…i think he is just trying to deflect criticism from the players and boost their spirits…
my point is that this is not how i would go about it. i would shun any praise and discussion of “mental strength;” instead, i would opt for a neutral comment about how we still have a chance to win the league title, but the players are going to have to work their way through this”…
actually, i would be to busy with the players to say anything to afc.com…
Time to spend OUR money Steve, spot on also time for AW to motivate the players to show some spine to win games for OUR club. Agreed Oliver now is not the time to be going on about their so called spirit and steel when its obvious to a blind man they have very little of either, his words are just making things worse.
I have said this before but what Arsenal really need is someone who can talk back to Wenger and make him see what is going on.
In other words Will, someone who doesnt use the same optician as Wenger and Pat Rice
Exactly T.
As much as Pat is Mr Arsenal, he is a yes man.
AW is surrounded by yes men Will, another big problem….!It’s not just Pat Rice.
I don’t think people understand AW is there for economic purposes. He is not just a coach. He has a lot to do with a few things there. He has MEc and the board have this man who is onside re the footballer sausage line of buying low and selling high.
Surrounded by yes men, and his superiors are happy with what he does every season…..
Australia’s most successful rugby coach, Alan Jones, is famous as a motivator in the real sense. He understands sport generally and the players psyche.
He would be a great coach for Arsenal and he would put AW in his place in 10 seconds flat and I wouldn’t mind betting it would be AW that walked, and he’d be happy to have a real football coach as assistant
Sadly though, the board like AW. He is their business partner, in a sense
i’d take bill belichik to replace arsene in a flash!
Oliver, I will have Bill Walsh please.
So, how is AW different from a dictator? Fine, he doesnt send his forces to kill his people but isnt his stubborness killing the fans’ trust in him?
good call, will – only problem is that he has passed on. but not only did he build a dynasty in sf, he left the operation in such good condition that his successor (george siefert) was able to win a sb with a different qb (steve young) and keep the team challenging for sb’s for several more years…
Amband, you used the right word there… Business, thats how they see it, its not football anymore hence we are not customers etc etc, thing is in business they seem to be missing the fact you need to be a success to keep bringing in the funds….!
T-B what is AW leaving a future manager…? it’s ok that the business model is well run but do we have a future on the bitch with what he is doing at the present…? far to mnay if’s and maybe’s…! He’s running the risk of being known for what he’s destroying that than what he did and what he built and thats very sad.
The guy was a genius.
Hi W.A.T.H
It is not a club. It is a registered private business. As such, the companies and corporations laws compell the directors to maximise profit for shareholders and owners, who happen to be the directors. So profit goes into the pockets of the directors
Another way to make money is to keep it rather than spend it. So you buy talented youngster, demonstrate their talents and sell them high.
In the old days, these football clubs were not for profit. The board were elected volunteers and all the moneyt went into the club for members benefits. There were no private owners and no profit. That is the best way to get good players
AW is not employed as a coach alone. He was the man they were looking for, and economics graduate who has the mentality to look after the boards wishes at the expense of football, which he is forced to do, as the law compells him under the companies and corporatiosn laws
Make no bones about it, this is why AW will always hold the confidence of the board as he is one of them, a businessman with the same ideals. The board and AW care little for football
Often i hear how well AW has keep the club in the black, and it doesn’t owe anything, and how grateful some fans are for this. What these fans don’t realise is, this is private money they get no benefit from. There is no benefit to supporters being in the black. There is no benefit to anyone except the board’s pockets
In a not for profit, the supporters could call an extraordinary general meeting of members and throw the bastards out
However, it is a privately owned concern under different legislation and that can’t happen
We have AW for as long as he keeps the board’s confidence regardless of what we say
Emphasis on the word ‘was’, Will!
WATH, thats what happens when you become too comfortable as boss for far too long when you refuses to change your glasses. Other people zee eet that we have issues in different positions but he doesnt!
Shape up, Mr Wenger, you are breaking the hearts of the Red Army!!!
Amband, very good points mate, the other thing we need to consider is that the shareholders at Arsenal do not get paid a dividend so in theory even as a plc the directors and shareholders will tell you they not in it for profit as there are no dividends, however, what are these directors paid as a salary in jobs that are created for them so they get returns on their shareholdings…???? If the directors and major shareholders are not there for profits then why would they be happy with money in the bank? yet again more lies and bullshit from the top.
T-buzz, spot on mate no pressure on the boss what so ever, noone knocking on his door asking what the hell is going on, why are we down to the bare bones why did he not buy cover when we clearly needed it why is he satisfied with players clearly not good enough when there are funds avaiable… Who exactly is gonna knock on his door and ask these very pertinent questions…. Hmmmmm one guess…. Nobody…!
Sad but true WATH, I wonder how he would have done if he did the same thing at Real Madrid
Anyway, have a great evening, hopefully I’ll be on later in the evening but for now, Ciao!
Cheers T-b…… c’ya lata…!
Feel better, rico. 🙁 Nothing too serious, I hope? But I emailed you something nice. 🙂
oliver, bravo! Again, vey well written. Really, everyone at AFC should stop feeling sooo hard done by, and just play proper, committed footie.
Hey, WATH. AW is a man. Of course, he lies! 😉
He must be in touch with his femanine side as well then AGAG its why he is deceitful 😛
Where is my email with something nice 🙁 so unfair.
Time for them to be told they got 10 games to save their Arsenal careers, he’s to soft to tell them that though.
T-buzz, what do you think of Gibbsy? Clichy is still better than him, imho. But I am biased. Although, I have to say, the former’s still learning, and the latter should have already learned his lessons. 🙁
Nah, WATH. Girls are sugar and spice and everything nice… And boys are made of nothing but lies. 😉 And I sent you one last week, was it? Did you like it? 🙂 I’ll look for another.
Evening all. Still depressing 2 days on. My short-list for the job would be; Guus Hiddink, Owen Coyle or Paul Lambert.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3466421/Arsenal-eye-Real-Madrid-youngster-Pablo-Sarabia.html
Hello Gooners and Goonerettes.
Hey Will, how’s the letter coming on amigo?
I have written a lot Kev. Just working on a way of finishing it.
Who you gonna send it to Will? No point writing to Wenger, he never reads his post, well not from the fans, he’s got no time for us.
Kev….Bombay palace is that ruby house in Harold wood!! Just came to me….
OK Wath, where were we, so you reckon we can keep our top players, even if we drop out of the top four, and ditch the rubbish. Why can’t we do that anyway?
Lee, is that the one opposite the car park?
Kev, I want it posted here and hopefully it will make its way around the blogshere and people that matter will read it.
Sorry for going off on a tangent!!!
Yes mate
Lee, there used to be a great curry house in Emerson Park, on the main road, i think there was a pub called the chequers nearby, not sure if it was a pub Tony Adams used to go in, do you know where i mean?
Will, that sounds a good idea mate, i usually write to Ken Friar [ old school ] and he always replies and tries, as best as he can, to give me a decent answer.
I really don’t think we’ll finish outside the top four, so mission accomplished for another season!!!
Yeah I know the one,parlour & Adams drunk in the chequers…
Man Ure, if and when they progress to the CL s/f will have to play either side of their visit to The Grove. They already have an all-Manc FAC s/f that ‘Old Red Nose’ won’t be able to rest his best players from. Now if only those old tossers at UEFA can give ManUre the Chavs in the Quarters and then Barca in the Semis, we may come up smelling of roses in May after all….
Would love to read it, Will. 🙂 Still on a media lockdown. I have no idea what’s going on (other than the fact that our annual implosion is nearly complete); ours is the hope that the powers that be read some of the blogs.
Sorry everyone, i’m easily distracted by the thought of a chicken jalfrizi…. Lee, good curry in there mate.
agag, i’m sure people at the club read the blogs.
It makes it more frustrating, allezkev that they don’t seem to listen to what we say! Grrr. 😡
Gazedis says he reads some blogs.
hi!
Leeman is comming again ????? Sky news, sport news,…
I’ll post later.
agag they probably read them in order to get ideas about the latest rubbish they can put on sale in the shop.
Yeah JM, i heard that. Sol Campbell mk II
Will is that right about Gazidis?
Well Ivan, if your reading this, for God’s sake don’t let Wenger waste another summer, make sure he buys a quality striker and a quality centre-half…
and we are back in business..
well done rico hope u feel better soon..
I WANT MY CLUB BACK…SHOW SOME AMBITION….
15 years ago we had fuck all money and we managed to get dennis bergakmp…
we moved to the emirates to compete now we have the money and your forcing us to watch some of the shittest laziest clueless players weve had at arsenal in the last 10 years…
hope your reading ivan.. 😉
rant over…
no way re jens lehmann…
cant beleive it
oh well at least he’s vocal and he isnt afraid to but rockets up arses…
will
have u finished your letter??
Sorry AK was off being busy for a bit and doing some work, if we stay where we are AK then no need 4 Aw to get rid of rubbish cos he’ll tell us all yet again that they are great players and we must have faith and they have spirit and steel and and and. . . then he will buy noone same shit next yr… Hence we need to drop out the reckoning for the board to maybe catch a wake up..?
Haha, allezkev! 🙂 That could be it!! But if they listened, they would know that certain players just aren’t cutting it, no matter how highly AW rates them. 😉
Hey, JJ, and bye JJ. 😉 Sleepy! I’m off. Catch you all tomorrow! 🙂
Ni nite AGAG……
Hi Wath, Nighty nite agag, Hiya JJ.
Wath you’re probably right mate, AW won’t have a clear-out whatever happens, he loves his boys, even if they’re chokers
hi agag bye agag
alreet lads…
Well what’s the considered view about our new [old] goalkeeper, if the rumours are true…!
I’d like to think I’m sensible enough to look at this in a sensible way AK, I’m not gonna disrespect AW and call him names he deserves more respect than that and his ideas have totally changed the club, he gave us the 98 team the 02 team and the invincibles yet how can he be happy with this lot now its defies belief…? has he just lost all motivation? has he lost the hunger, is he going through the motions like his players, he is by no means a stupid man so why are we in this position? I find it hard to rationalise how he can talk such utter rubbish and carry on blindly with this very average squad.
im shocked
U sure ur not pissed again JJ…?
Wath, KT if your reading, what about Kevin Gameiro? He’s out of contract summer 2012 and Lorient are planning to sell this summer. we do a cash+swap deal involving Sunu?
Wath i share your views on wenger, but that’s what makes things so frustrating, because we know what he’s capable of, and with his contacts, the quality of player he can unearth.
JJ, i thought you were teetotal……
I will do soon JJ, want to read what I have so far?
AK, Gameiro is a name thats cropped up last few months must admit have not seen the fella so no idea.
It’s the one thing that sort of makes no sense AK, he isn’t stupid, yes he’s stubborn and has an enormous ego BUT he has delivered brilliant teams before has bought class knows what a team needs to win the Prem lge and yet this lot lack so many of those traits needed to win things…. WHY….? As said has he just lost interest? has the motivation and the hunger gone despite what he blabs to the press. . . .? Is he happy just picking up his salary and waiting for the sack..? He’s ruining everything thats he’s made and achieved at the club the way he going.
I too know nothing about Gameiro, but if he’s cheap/free he’ll be for us but we should be going after the likes of Aguero or Bencezma, no?
ditto Wath, look at our results vs ManUre, do you reckon ‘Red Nose’ would allow things to drift and not change tack, but AW sends his team out the same way & manUre do the same thing = ManUre win! And now we’re in the midst of the worst losing run i can ever remember against the Mancs, with no prospect of things changing. What is Arsene trying to prove Wath, as you say he’s not a fool, he lives for football, so why the hell can’t he work out a statgedy to beat them????? It does my head in mate.
Ha ha Lee. I make you right.
Cheap or free is a typical wenger buy Lee but think they said they’d want 12million for him, I reckon we can pay a bit more and get proven quality for that, it’s what we were saying last night, buy cheap get average quality…! you normally get what you pay for so lets get exactly what we need not shop bargain basement at usual for once lets get to harrods…!
Has his ego actually turned him into such a myopic monster who will just not accept that he can be wrong…?
Is that 12million Euro or £12million?
paper talk AK so who knows mate……
Wath, what about Diego Capel, is he any good? And his team mate Negredo, most of La Liga is skint, so is there anyone outside of Barca/Real we couldn’t get?
id like aguerro or benzema
but we dont need them cos weve got nikki and chamakh who are great cos they cost fuck all and not for their finishing..
yey…
Suppose in theory AK as long as Real or barca dont want a player then we’d be in with a shout but still a risk I think when they have probs settling and is the lge to quick and too hard etc etc….
I caught a bit of what AK / wath were talking about the other day re CB,s subotic etc why buy kos (who I think will get better) and squidgy when he could of lifted commanding proven CB?
JJ, i thought Chamakh did ok earlier in the season, not sure why he’s lost his shooting boots.
Benzema is quality, but he’s on a massive wedge at Madrid. Don’t suppose he’d take a pay-cut to play for AW.
chamakh did ok cos he was in a new team and was keen to impress
now hes realised how hard it is hes turned out to be the shit signing his transfer fee suggested..
he wasnt even prolific at borduex..hes another nikki…only with less ego…
We needed a Subotic and a Kos, not a Kos n squidgy…!
We’d of been a lot better off then Lee.
lee
wenger wont buy anyone near the 20 mil region..
he sets his sights at 15mil max and thats for attackers
defenders are not worth as much in AW’s eyes so anyone under 10 mil will do
even though he had 30 mil to spend 6 mil was the best he could afford for some reason…
Exactly we,ve had a result kos has been ok tho!!!!!
its the board lee
the board are taking the piss…
wenger needs to say no more 10mil every year im going to spend the full whack
Board and wenger the same bloody thing!!!
Mind you, we might have signed Dzeko, £27million wasn’t it?
He doesn’t look to be worth that AK!!!
the baord call the shots and wenger loves it cos he gets the time here he wouldnt get anywhere else
great manager weve got to give him that but theres no pressure on him to spend the money and where does that pressure come from??
That Luiz at the chavs, looks decent?
It’s always a bit of a gamble Lee, look at Balotelli, what a muppit!
dzeckos shite…
but big lumps like that normally are in the PL
even mclaren said hes a good prospect but hes got a long way to go..
he was smiling in the interveiw as well when he was saying it i think he knew they had stung citeh
hes nothing but a bosnian peter crouch..
JJ, have to disagree mate, the board would shit their pants if wenger wanted to leave, if he wanted 200million for a player they would find it believe me, the only reason money isn’t spent is because “he” won’t spend it, def not teh board not letting him spend its the other way round.
Luiz looks quality Lee, i also like David Silva and Adam Johnson, i’d like to get Johnson, not that City would sell to us…
luiz is a class act…
20 mill…
theres one that got away i reckon…
but we didnt need him cos we had tv coming back ????!!!!
Wath, didn’t Wenger pressurize the Board to pay up for Reyes, Hill-Wood is a luddite, he hates spending anything.
Chamack is the really puzzling one…..was on fire, the nada!
Hill-Wood is an old goat who should be put out to pasture AK…… If wenger wanted money the board would give it to him and I kno that for a fact.
Chamakh was decent at the start of the season, chased, got stuck in put himself about and scored goals, had a shot and generally played well…… Now he’s a shadow of her former self….! Was he told not to shoot…?
wath
weve gone from having a 450mil debt to 130mil in 5 years..
the board have fucked the 27 year laon off and are trying to pay it quick so they can sell up and fuck off..
if wenger leaves they would shit themselves cos nobody else could do what he does with what he has but if wenger asked for the 40mil budget they would also shit themselve cos it would mean waiting another two years before they can sit on their yaghts in the caribbean for 365 days of the year…
i suppose its 50/50 but someone needs to tell someone to sort it out
If the chavs go and get Subotic then they will have a cracking partnership that will last yrs, ready made as well, Luiz is raw but quality and also has a good build is hard takes no prisoners and he can shoot as well 😉
It won’t happen a strong/ vocal no2 would be a step in the right direction!!?
kev
it was dien and wenger who pressurised the baord
wenger wanted ronaldo and we almost had him but fergie stepped in a knicked him for 12mil and the baord wouldnt sanction our matching bid cos hillwood and co are cocks…
aw and dein did their nut and forced the rest to sign reyes to compsenate the loss of ronaldos signature.
turned out well didnt it….
if the chavs get subotic then we go after hummels
and if we dont then we are plums 😉
Wath please tell me what Hill-Wood, Keswick,Lord Harris even Silent Stan bring to the party? They treat Arsenal like a football version of the Reform Club or a ‘soccer investment’….. What a bunch of wasters and ponces. The last time the Hill-Woods put their hand in their pocket was when they bought the shares of Henry Norris.
JJ as said if he wanted money they give it to him no question abt it, they look as if they are ripe for a take over BUT with 2 shareholders sitting on their arses doing nothing we seem to be in limbo BUT the fact they have paid off so much of the loan and showed the club/business is a viable concern what ever the debt is its negligable if AW wants to spend 40/50 million…! The real question is the fatc we’ve been spun so many lies and stories and we have no idea what is the truth and what the board actually want to do.
Yeah Lee, Chamakh, i’m hopefull he’ll come good, or sort of, next season.
JJ, it’s been a shit sandwich since Dein was forced out.
JJ, thats not quite true re Ronaldo mate, there was an agreement that the mancs had with Sporting and as soon as we bid for Ronaldo the mancs then had first priority on him somehow….. it wasnt to do with money purely the relationship sporting had with the mancs.
AK, the board bring nothing to the club, the fans give the club the finances along with sponsorships and merchandise and the board make decisions, they do not take a dividend as I understand it but am sure they have “jobs” within the club that pay them a handsome salary. The problem we have is if Stan or the russian buy us then will we become a plaything or will they run us as a successful company plough the funds back into the team or simply rape us of profits like the yanks have done to the mancs…?
Jj, and if i recall, Ashley Cole & Dein had agreed a deal before Hill-Wood stuck his oar in, smart move by our Old Etonian dipstick eh?
Wath what’s the score with Usmanov, is he really a wolf in sheeps clothing or another Abramovitch? He does actually go to the games unlike Kroneke. I know you have reservations about Dein, but he was a Gooner & he seemed keen to do a deal with the Uzbeck [?].
Let’s hope hill-wood gets involved in denilson bendtner and diaby’s negotiations!!! Lol
JJ, can’t see Dortmund selling Subotic and Hummels they be mad…..! IF they win the league will they have to sell either? they maybe able to tell everyone to sod off….!.
I don’t want Mexes either he used to be good 5/6 yrs ago he’s very ordinary now….!
Sakho or Cahill?
Dein wanted to be Chairman Ak simple as that and the way he saw it was through the Uzbek, who know’s what his intentions are to be honest, we’ won’t know until either one of them makes a move, the uzbek has more personal money than stan but stan married to one of the walmart heiresses so who knows who’s worth more but I would say the Uzbek but if your gonna invest a billion pounds at some point you want some sort of return and if so how do you want it and what do you want from your investment in regards to a winning mentality?. its the 64 million dollar question eh…!
Who would you prefer Lee… Salho or Cahill…? I’m a little undecided abt both to be honest.
Lee, ha ha ha, yeah mate, please God, Hill-Wood to be the sole negotiator with the agents of D,AD & NB. Now i’d pay to watch that!
Sakho understands the language…….
Sakho would probably be cheaper, i wouldn’t mind either, but if i was given a straight choice i’d prefer Cahill.
I’ve seen a little of sakho and he looks like could do the biz for us, and he’d be cheaper than Cahill……and we know how important that is!!?
There you go kev….. Haha
your right wath
the lies and spin have put everyone in limbo
its obvious what the clubs been using our money for but with a 100 year mortgage its not entirely sure why..
sahkos supposed to be pretty good…
supposed to be handy in midfield as well i think but ive not watched psg as much as ive watch dortmund so i dont really know
Well we’ve sorted out the centre-half Lee, now for the centre-forward, who do you reckon?
cahill
JJ, PSG had Makalele at c/b recently, with Sahko r/b.
Doesn’t happen but Aguero…
What about AA and rosickie jog them on and replace with??
Ak, you know who I want as striker 😉
Sakho isn’t that tall is he….? Cahill gives you proper english passiona dn grit BUT is he that good to warrant 15million pricetag and no thats not me being tight either 😉
Villa would of been better…
Aguero, hmmm, a lotta lotta lolly methinks. What do you think, £25million or more. If Carroll cost £35million i dread to think the answer Lee.
Cahill then…..striker?
34m villa or 35m Carroll?? No brainer….
Not a guy by the name of Didier by any chance Wath????? Or Fabiano was it?
Either of them mate but that Didier fella would be first choice for a few seasons…..! 😉
Yeah I think he’d get a few at our place!!!
Lansbury not starting for Norwich!!! What’s that all about? Do Norwich have ‘that’ many good players?
I suppose i’d go for Benzema, if we could get him to take a pay cut, God know’s what he’s on at Madrid.
evening all,
anything new
Lansbury coming on 78th min…..
He should be used to that
81st even…
Evening Steve, we buying players Steve go have a read and catch up, we spending millions mate 😉
Wenger has brought Miquel into the 1st team squad, so panic over lads…..
As I wrote in previous post, I realized why not a game that can be repeated with time to recover physically, psychologically and injured before a staggered team not to lose, Arsenal began to try to play as if it had total freshness. Looking only goals: Kos is late because the capacity of reaction and reflexes were out of normal parameters. So Fabio, was enough to take two steps were already at a distinct advantage in addition to react faster, the 2nd goal was a highway on the left, only possible on a team with no rhythm and that the “legs” do not respond to the mind. Yes, there were opportunities like the Kos. Under normal conditions, one in ten failure, the conditions in question were, in five, four failed because the defense and goalkeeper react very quickly. In short, when they should have played more in the field trying to come up a better balanced game as possible and putting the tie always open, did not (Barcelona), when it should have played more calmly, to recover at all levels especially recent setbacks, it was the opposite (FA Cup)
I do not remember what happened with RC. but I think the “scouts” and was nominated for Sporting in the MU. AW always gives preference to the French market. I’m sure that comes Gameiro for the year. It reminds me a little Pires.
Moreover, several names have already indicated. Good players cost money. Those who become apparent this season, start to cost too. I bet that must be in new players, eager to win titles The same goes for coaches. Big names are nice but I do not think the best option. Today football is much work off the field. In my opinion, never mind an English coach. Arsenal moved with AW. Chelsea made the leap with Mourinho. MC is to give it when it chose to Mancini. Liverpool Ibid. Totenham has the only English coach Europeanized but a team that has ever played in a way different from the others (here is only that Ardilla Villa and could win). The assistant coach must always be someone strongly linked to Arsenal. There may be another type observer or something. A new coach that fails to attract attention. They want a name? The coach of Braga (Domingos). It was an excellent player of Porto. You output should not be expensive. Before anyone (of the top teams) will remember him. This year Arsenal won 2-0, Liverpool 1-0 (and luckily were not more like Dalglish said.) Airing ideas in the bank was a good idea. Mourinho’s deputy (Villas Boas) should only ever accept being head coach. Inter, milan, etc. are watching it.
It remains for us the championship. As I often say, “since I saw one day in a circus, a pig to ride a bike, I started to believe in everything.”
It may happen …
AK, Benzema cost Real 30million didnt he…? pay cut or not we got not a hope in hell of getting him.
Wath, i hope Gazidis isn’t reading this, or he’ll pass out.
Yeah Wath, i know what you mean, i was kinda hoping he’d continue to be frozen out at Madrid and we could pick him up at a more realistic price. That was before Mourinho brought him into the team and he got a few goals…. hopes dashed!
I somtimes wonder if these transfer prices are just for the supporters, who honestly pays 50mil for somone like torres,i wonder if its somthing clubs do to hike up the prices
He’d be having kittens!! Lansbury gets the winner!!!
JM, your correct anything can happen but I think we all know we won’t win the league and then IF we do win the league we have the problem of Wenger saying that the players have proved that he was right and he keeps all the ones we know are not good enough. Your correct doesnt always need a big name to be a big manager or a big player just a big talent and a big attitude for success and hunger.
They’ve got another…
come back henri…
Catch you guys later..
AK, Gazidis could do with reading some blogs where real fans get to chat maybe he’d catcha wake up and realise what its all about, 2nd thoughts prob not cos don’t think they give a shit.
Steve the prices paid came from the russian who has money to burn so just then escalates the costs all round and inflates everything, for me Carroll is no more than a 15mil man if that and Torres i rate buts thats just me so I would of paid 30mil for him but the prices they went for were a joke, in the summer the russians and the arabs have to do their buying and then the rest get the leftovers…!
Cheers Lee…….
scotty parker would sort our midfeild out straight away
like you say wath
hunger and desire go along way..the man can play abit as well
Yeahhh Lee, that’s my boy, he made the 3rd as well. Get shot of Denilson and give Henri a run.
see ya Lee, top chat mate
JJ, as much as i agree just cant force myself to want parker he’s a big yid, the whole family as well. He’s also a midget 😉
I’m gonna be stubborn and do a wenger…. I want Fellieni and he’s my choice thats it, I’m sticking with him…!
Lansbury has a great engine gets stuck in knows where the goal is and is Arsenal, he’ll do a good job nect season, is he on loan til the end of the season or not does anyone know..?
I’m not looking forward to the next window, more players that takes a month of sundays to pronounce their names unknown useless fcukers
Yep Wath, i agree re; fees, pity Wenger didn’t go for Torres when he left Spain, once he gets his first goal he’ll be off and running [ then maybe CFC might just decide to sell Didier??? ].
JJ how much do you think Parker would go for?
i dunno wath
but i want him back
and i dont think he’ll take 150 games to convince ppl he deserves the shirt..
next ray??? maybe??
well hes never cost anyone more than 10mil kev
and if west ham get relegated???
although i hope they beat the mancs 😉
Steve you might be surprised, maybe we’ll get a few for the creche from China called Yoo’s less… easy to pronounce at least 🙂
Lansbury will come back when our league hopes a finished same as Rambo and the cup
what about daniel sturridge??
he wont get a chance at chelsea..
Steve, i thought Lansbury was til the end of the season…? He’s got more fight in his right little toe than d & d have got in their whole bodies…! Exactly what we need at the moment, Lansbury and Ramsey in midfield to help out Jack n Nasri…
WATH, yeah 4’9 and as fast as a tsunami
I heard Sturridge supports Arsenal JJ, no idea how true, no way would they sell any player to us. One to watch that Rico called the other week is Scott Sinclair at Swansea, the lad has filled out and looks shit hot there at the moment.
I think Cesc has had it
One thing in their favour Steve they won’t give up or not show commitment and fight and if they as quick as that tsunami then they’ll do for me mate…..
Can we still get 50million for Cesc with a fucked hamstring….?
WATH, i think your right about Henri, wouldnt think he wants to come back at the mo
The way he’s played just lately i dont think we could give him away
I played 30 years and had i hamstring must be the training what do you think
Don’t Barca want to spend £40million on Gareth Bale, nothing left to bid for Cesc?
Gazides could be on the phone to ya soon Steve…
Righto, good night gooners
Cheers AK,
I had only one bad hammy Steve and I trained thru it as well didn’t play matches for two weeks and after that it was fine, If you stretch properly surely you shouldnt do a hammie…? The fact his keep going is a problem OR he doesnt fix it properly…! Seems bit weird to me.
cescs hammy is his own doing..keeps declaring himself fit when he isnt and then pulling it again when he plays and staying on for another hour pretending everythings fine..
Prob right JJ, when the medical lot said he was fine it seemed ok til Stoke and then he comes back 4 the barca game and stuffs it again, I could run fine on mine just kicking a ball hard was sore but I lived 😉
Right I’m off for the night, see you lot 2moro no doubt. Don’t forget… Arsene knows……!
Not sure what but apparently he knows 🙂
fuck all.. 😉
night everyone…
Anyone here?
yo Will…have you heard the GOOD word??
No. But I have finished my letter to Gazidis.
Blackburn alledgedly want NB52, and are prepared to pay £15m for his services….fingers crossed!
Is the letter going to appear in the blog-world?
Morning Gooners. Anyone heard the rumour about Djourou? Apparantly he reckons he’ll be able to play again before the end of the month! Could be risky, especially if he lands on his shoulder again… But if he is fit again then that has to be a right result.
Morning all. . . . . . Seems the lady of the house is still unwell, not good….! I keep telling her she doesn’t drink enough…!
I’d take a fiver for bendtner let alone 15mil, they surely cant be serious…? Lets be honest anything more than 5mil would be great.
Morning Wath, i wouldn’t have thought that Blackburn could afford £15million for anyone, nevermind ‘pinky boots’.
They now owned by that wealthy indian family AK so money is obviously there mate, I still reckon anything over 5million is a touch…!
Got to say Wath, that it has to be nearer to £10million, i think we undervalue our own players. There’s plenty of dross out there mate, making a nice living.
Did you see that about Djourou on the bbc website?
Pedro Botelho scored a good goal for Cartagena a few days ago. He’s got a Spanish passport and can join us in the summer. I’ve heard him liked to Gareth Bale in style. Sounds promising…
That’s ‘likened to G.Bale’
Fuck me hope he not as ugly as bale……………
Yep saw the mutterings on JD…. Fingers crossed.
Yep your right about the transfer AK I’m merely being sarcastic in taking anything just to get rid of the prick. In the current market as shit as he is 10mil is a minimum. I see no reason why we can’t sell the deadwood and a lot of the loanees who are never gonna make it and not get al least 30million back in, the prob then though is making sure the tight arsed amnager goes and spends ALL that is available.
Re: Djourou, the Swiss FA gave him extensive tests on Monday and found no bone damage, and although the ligaments have been stretched, they have not been torn, so hopefully a couple of weeks rest and JD could be back….
See ya all later.
Cheers AK, have a good one..!
Yes Lee, if it is deemed good enough, I am hoping it gets passed around and the powers that be get to read it.
Will send it to Rico so we can all have a read….! please 😉
Oh and new post up…!