Morning all.
Axel Witsel has been linked to a Premier League switch for a number of years now, so many it’s hard to believe he’s still only 24 years old.
Whilst on duty with Belgium, the player has again reiterated his desire to come to England but he’ll only go to one of the better clubs:
I keep a goal in the back of my mind. I’m not saying it has to happen now, I don’t know when it could be done. But it must be a top club.
Look no further than London Axel, there’s your top club! No of course I don’t mean Chelsea, Spurs or Fulham, not even Crystal Palace, only one club club in London sit top of the Premier League and we all know who that is.
Axel, who I keep wanting to call Alex for some daft reason has been linked to us before, and of course the red side of Manchester. In fact he turned down a chance to move up t’north in the summer of 2012, choosing to sign for Zenit instead. I guess the prospect of playing in a side with the’ green man’ was too good a chance to turn down.
He’s a winger, ok he’s right footed, but that didn’t stop Thierry Henry from playing on the left….
Update – seems this ‘once winger’ (according to Wikki) actually plays in the defence midfield position. Forgive my error for trusting Wikki….
International matches again tonight.
France, as said yesterday, have a tough qualifier on their hands and other than Giroud and Sagna, the rest of our players should only be involved only in meaningless friendlies. Surprisingly, neither Giroud or Sagna are in the starting eleven with Debucy and Benzema being preferred. Good!
Wojciech Szczesny will at least be on the bench as Poland face the Republic of Ireland.
Thomas Vermaelen will no doubt play another full match as Belgium take on Japan which is good for the player, he needs playing time.
Both Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal could feature for their country as Spain take on South Africa.
Jack Wilshere will no doubt get playing time with England as they take on a German side who will be without both Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker. Hopefully, Kieran Gibbs will not be used by Roy Hodgson.
Carl Jenkinson should again play for England under 21’s as they take on San Marino. He played for 90 minutes on Thursday which is good, the more playing time he gets the better.
Report’s suggest that Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey will be fit and ready to face Southampton on Saturday – which is great news. Ramsey missed Wales friendly a few days ago with a slight strain and Walcott, well he’s been out for a long time and his pace will be a massive welcome. We’ve missed him, ok, I’ve missed him.
Finally, there’s an interview with Mathieu Flamini on the official website which you can read HERE but I’ve taken just one question and answer from it.
Q -Did you have any doubts about returning to Arsenal? Were there other clubs interested in signing you as well?
Yes, I had the possibility of other clubs in Italy, in England, in Germany even. But for me it was the chance to come back to Arsenal, with the team we have right now, to work with Arsène Wenger again. It was basically him who introduced me to the top level. He brought me into the Premier League and into the Champions League, so I didn’t think twice when I had the chance to come back. I just said, “Let’s do it.” Now I’m here and happy, and looking forward to having an amazing season.
Sometimes I guess it’s good to go back to where you were once so happy and not too many get the chance at Arsenal……
As for the amazing season, let’s hope he’s right…………
That’s it for another day, only a few more days until Saturday…..
Morning Rico.
Wiesel? Committed one of the most vicious tackles ever witnessed a few years ago and served an 8 match ban for it. In my opinion he got off lightly. Not for me.
Witsel I meant.
Axel witsel is a defensive midfielder pal, he is no way a winger
Morning all,
Good read…
I liked Witsel before that horror tackle during his time at Standard Liege as mentioned earlier; he came back very well but his rating suffered thereby getting banished to Russia…
I think he is a DM/CM though not a winger… Dembele and him normally play in the pivot for Belgium even ahead of Fellaini in most games.
Morning Rico. Good Post, again,
It seems an awful lot of players are lured to Eastern Europe for the filthy lucre and then find the dreadful winters there really are just that – dreadful.
Of course Zenit seem to be off loading a lot of expensively acquired players lately as they seem to have run into financial difficulties.
Axel is trying to bail out but would not be my choice anyway.
Weasel….very apt!
Weasel…very apt
Lee. A Freudian slip. 🙂
Good Morning Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and ladies.
Bonjour Adam. We dont need Wiesel. Got enough players in his mould although he is good. But there are others who are better.
Good regarding Sagna and Giroud. Hope that Ucraine do as you said Rico……kill the tie off in the first 2 minutes. In the same way the Arsenal u18 I think were killed off by 2 goals in the first 2 minutes in one of their recent games.
Ha, how are you mate? What is the name of that female singer that you played the other day?
Hi Dev… I keep missing your arrival… 😉
Morning Adam.
I didn’t know that. Forget him then..
I think you may have spelt it right the first time…
Jack, Aaron, Flamini and Arteta are far superior to him imo. He plays the Pivote and imo you need a mature head in that position not someone whi is around 24 years old. Imo you need someone who has been at the top for a goodnumber of years and is in the 27-29 age bracket.
Ts, wikki said he’s a winger, and you know these stats sites are always right… 😉
Morning Lee, you have been away so long, you went into moderation 😉
aye Ginginho. we kept missing each other. But I always sensed that you were there. your shadow was always lurking in the background.
I missed you lot mate. Kev, Adam, WATH, you, Lee,etc. but work is work and it was bloody difficult to juggle.
now I have a short break till around 20 minutes more and then its next evening for me.
Morning again Devil. We don’t want Giroud coming on and going all hell for leather trying to get a goal do we, that’s when injuries occur…
Rico. Every time I have seen the Weasel play he has been a DM.
Good to see you back Devil.
Lee. It was Melody Gardot.
Aye Lady. that is why like you I said that I hope that the game gets killed off in the first 5 minutes.
Type Witsel in youtube and a plethora of quality tackles appear…not for me!
Thanks Adam.
Adam, I will continue to blame Wikki 😉
Seriously though, it says on there that he is a winger/CM/AM.
One would say a typical AW kind of player….
Morning all.
Flamini. Nothing said will alter my view that bringing him back was a signing of convenience on both sides. We were desperate for a DM and couldn’t find any half decent player who would sign for us, and Mattieu was desperate for a club, any club! Arsenal for him was punching a little above his weight, on the basis of what he had achieved in Milan! However, the first 10 or so games he has played he has been very Influential, not the squad player I thought he would become. So win, win! Excellent. Long may he maintain his positive contribution to our vastly improved performances.
Roll on saturday!
this is a good read.
http://the4thofficial.co.uk/2013/11/19/robin-van-persie-and-the-dangers-of-over-reliance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=robin-van-persie-and-the-dangers-of-over-reliance
Rico. If you have the stomach for it, the assault is on YouTube.
No, I don’t think he is a winger. I suppose that, in some ways, he has to be cleaner than clean since the incident but I still wouldn’t want him at the club.
I would want Diego Costa as a striker though.
Ha ha ha truly always lurking Dev…
Rico, trusting wiki will make you as credible as one of my stats…
I trust what I see as you say. 🙂
Witsel? not for me. If we go for a DM in January or next summer it’s Bender we should be looking at IMO. We had an offer turned down for him last summer so lets see what an improved offer will do.
Right time and right place Wavy and as you say, both parties benefited…
I’m glad he signed though, as much as Arteta does for us, he can’t go all season…
Think I’ll give it a miss Adam..
Diego Costa is a good striker. But I still am a bit sceptic on him. Michu would be a better option imo than him, but then I might be mistaken.
I still would prefer Shrek, Benzema or Torres to them though.
Think he’s signed a new long term contract since then TT…
cu later this eveningmy friends. Break is over.
Have a good day devil…
Arsenal and Liverpool are locked in a six-way battle with several European clubs to sign Olympiakos ace Konstantinos Mitroglou, according to sources in Greece.
The 25-year-old, who scored twice in Greece’s 3-1 World Cup Qualifying play-off win against Romania last week, has been in scintillating form for Olympiakos this term, striking 17 times in just 14 league and European outings.
Scouts from across Europe have been flocking to watch him in action this season and Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to be among his current suitors.
Valued at around £7m, Mitroglou is also being chased by Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Genoa and Benfica.
He has over two years left to run on his current deal and is expected to wait until the summer before deciding upon his future.
That’s more like an Arsene signing Lee…..
Off for an hour, catch up later.
off topic… Walcott said in his autobiography about Van pussy….“When we got back into the dressing room at
the break, Robin made it obvious he wasn’t
happy. And I was the reason he wasn’t happy. I
wasn’t passing the ball enough, apparently. I
wasn’t being a team player, apparently. I was
intent on being an individual, on playing for
myself, apparently.
“It wasn’t the first time he’d had a go at me.
During the Amsterdam Tournament (2007) he
accused me of wasting the ball and ignoring
him when he thought I should have passed to
him. He was pretty hyped up because he was
on home soil and he wanted to put on a good
show in front of his countrymen. He didn’t like
it when I ignored what he was saying.
‘I am never ever going to pass you the ball
again!’ he yelled at me.
‘You’re a big man then, aren’t you!’ I
responded.
“Robin wanted to fight me there and then, and it
was the same in the dressing room at the
Emirates during the game against Spurs. He
was shouting at me and he went absolutely
nuts. There were people holding him back
because he wanted to get at me. I think part of
the reason Robin got so angry was that he was
surprised I had answered him back in front of
everyone else. He wasn’t having any of it.
“There was no lingering resentment on my part
and none on Robin’s. Exchanges like that
happen at football clubs all the time.” … well, Wally was lucky it wasnt Viera. morning house
Morning all.
Witsel?
Add him to the list of targets.
The transfer window is like christmas……the anticipation starts months before the event. 🙁
Afternoon all..
They’ll be plenty more too Scott…
Hi Tiz, had it been Paddy, RvP would have been out for a month 😉
Q&A with Julian Draxler…..
Q – Do you think Germany have produced more and better young players than England in the last five years?
A – (Background laughter) We have a lot of good young players in Germany and we have a very good national team. In English football we see many good players – like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey (Draxler is interrupted and told that Ramsey is Welsh). (Laughs) Let’s talk about Jack Wilshere…
Q – Would you like to play in the Premier League and do you think you are ready?
A – I like English football. I like the Premier League of course – it’s one of the best leagues in the world. You have big clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea – of course it’s a big dream to play for one of them. I have my favourite team, but at the moment I’m at Schalke. I don’t want to talk about other clubs. If I state Arsenal or Manchester United, maybe I’d read it tomorrow in the newspapers (laughs).
Top Club, Top of the league, well said rico.
It’s the truth Tim 😉
Witsel is a Fellaini-kind of player but maybe better in playmaking. I don’t think he’s played as a winger before because he’s not fast
Did anyone watched the Italy vs Nigeria friendly last night?
*Watch
As I said earlier Xr’s, blame Wikki, but I have amended the post to reflect my error…
No, I didn’t watch Italy…
Rico, the old Wikki trap……..
Witsel, sounds like a biscuit?!
Or a German breed of dog…
Had me hook, line and sinker Lee
Chocolate ones Kev?? I like those…
Chocolate biscuits are always the best Rico.
Especially with a cold glass of milk…
Lee, when does the City party scene start mate, I need the work.
A job or two out to ‘the sticks’ is just the ticket… 😉
With a cuppa for me Kev. Quite like Hobnobs too, Aldi’s equivalent of course – they are better 😛
Off for a while…
Anyone home?
I am Rico.
Me too Adam. You watching England in a while?
Probably Rico. I am not filled with anticipation though.
Kick and run no doubt Adam, will be good to see Germany though 😉
As long as Per doesn’t get crocked.
He’s not playing, neither is Ozil.
Excellent.
Just Jack, Santi and Nacho to worry about. Giroud isn’t starting either tonight…
Jack is playing?
Evening all. Saw that Sky Spts has Sweden on but anyone know where France match is? Want to keep a late eye on sub Giroud, make sure he doesn’t get injured 😉
Might be on the red button Andrew… Would be surprised if they are not showing it..
You’ve got me all excited now Rico.
Ta rico, give that a try. Mertesacker starting!
🙂 Adam..
Ah, you sure?
Darn it, Merts is starting. I read earlier he wasn’t…
Sorry Adam, more false info supplied by me, tsk tsk….
Yes Rico. I feel a quivering deep down. 🙂
That’s a worry Adam…. 😉
As soon as the game kicks off I will relax though.
Phew!
I’m off for the day now, enjoy the football, well, try to…
Night Ah, Adam and all….
Me too. Night Rico.
Good Night, careful Wilshire, don’t hold on to the ball like that inviting tackles.
Witsel was played in Benfica before going to Zenith. He never been a winger, He is a DM.
He is a good player, upper the average, but in my opinion, we don’t need him
Mitzoglou scores always in the Olympiakos and in Greek national team.
Joel Campbell did well v Australia last night.
Still a way off being Arsenal quality, but the potential is most definitely there.
Morning all,
Good to see that Per is finally getting the plaudits he deserves; no more AW should have bought Cahill or Hummels comments. 😉
How good was Toni Kroos? Jeez, how I would love Kroos and Ramsey pulling the strings in midfield for us i.e Arsenal.
I can’t believe the Bavarians are not even in discussing with him to renew his contract with 18 months or so to go on it…
Well England were as efficient and credible as I expected; one player got the ball ran with it, lost the ball and then the whole process started all over again;
2 shoots off target and non- on target playing at home says it all… at least young Jack looked like he sustained no injuries when the match finished.
Congrats to Les Bleus too… the first team in history to come from 2-0 down in a qualifier to go through…
Rico, you boy Sakho was very good next to Varane for France; he scored 2 goals too… 😉
Hiya Scott, hope you are well? So based on what you saw, you do not thing J Campbell can be useful in January then?
your boy Sakho* even
Axel Witsel is an Arsenal fan. In 2008 he said “I dream to play for Arsenal. If Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal want me, I’d go straight to Arsenal without any thought.”
Morning all,
Back to the real football this weekend.
Nice to see France come back as they did.
Anyone see my country beat Spain? I watched that one live and thoroughly enjoyed it. Meant I missed the rest on tv though.
I watch highlights of it Brad; Bafana Bafana are on the up again…
I was very impressed with your team’s organization and tactical awareness…
watched*
Brad, is B. Parker very good/
Hi Potter, I am looking forward to your u-21 report. 😛
Morning all..
Ts – Sakho is no longer on my wish list, he was awful against us… I didn’t watch France, no coverage in the Uk… Why I don’t know…
New Post up now…
Unfortunately all I can report from Norwich in the recent days is that the Norfolk and Norwich hospital coronary department is a well run unit . I was admitted on Thursday and realeased again Saturday and as it was teeming down with hailstones about an hour before kick off I decided to give it best and stay in the warm.From what I am being told this morning Afobe looks to have it but got a hamstring pull prior to half time and was replaced by a less effective Akpom, and that Macey the keeper played out of his skin and saved ours in a last 15 minute onslaught from a good hard working Norwich bunch that had a few players worth watching in the future.
Potter – I am so sorry to hear about your health, truly hope all is ok… Best you take it easy for a while..