Gnabry off? Arsenal finally agree terms and fee for much wanted defender?

Morning all.

Little appears to have changed for this seasons campaign as getting transfers over the line appears to be more difficult for Arsenal than ever before. Shocking I know.

When a club like ours with so much money in the bank, can’t strike a deal with a cash strapped Valencia, one does wonder who the Arsenal transfer team really think they are. Mustafi is available for less than his reported ‘get out clause’ fee because the Spanish club need to balance their books, yet still it seems we as a club, are penny pinching.

However, reports this morning suggest that a £25.9 million transfer fee has finally been agreed between the two clubs which if true, could be good news. Why this couldn’t have been done and dusted a few weeks ago goodness only knows, well, actually we probably do know. Arsenal are tight! Arsene is tight!

It must be frustrating for the players we try and sign too because what message does that tell them? Players want to feel wanted, to feel they are valued but squabbling over a few million pounds hardly does that does it, especially when a player is valued so highly by his current club. Certainly much more than Arsenal are offering which seems to be the case with Mustafi. If he’s that good, just do the deal….

Same with the striker hunt, just get the Lacazette deal done, or whoever it is Arsene Wenger believes might turn us into champions again, stop messing around as we the paying fans, deserve better, as do the other players in the squad. They want to win, we want them to win but Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy is the only thing standing in the way. Oh, and his tactics, team selection, and dare I mention lack of motivational skills, substitutions…….Ok, I’ll stop there…

Away from the transfers, both Serge Gnabry and Chris Willock are heading out on loan according to Sky Sports but not before signing contract extensions. Willock is expected to move to Brentford, Gnabry is wanted by Hertha Berlin but having done so well at the Olympics, I’m surprised he’s not staying put, especially as he can play on both sides of the pitch and scores goals. After all, it’s not like we lack goals in this team is it…..! Surely it would make more sense to move to another Premier League side if he really is heading out on loan?

Finally, Danny Welbeck is tipped for an earlier expected return to training although I’ll believe that when I see it and even if he is back around Christmas, our season could very well be over by then so Wenger can’t afford to sit on his hands thinking he’s the answer to our problems. Yes, if we are still up and around the top of the table, his return will be a huge boost to team but there’s a long time to go until then.

A long long time……

279 thoughts on “Gnabry off? Arsenal finally agree terms and fee for much wanted defender?

  1. Wavy says:

    Where are Arsenal we’re know to “give youth a chance” now they seem to have a not undeserved reputation of the club that will give “youth a loan”

    We are currently short of talented front men. We seem to have an embryo of some quality, so rather than keeping him and playing him, we give him away! Same as we did last year. All the good young players found themselves playing for Rangers or Hull etc etc and not here when they were needed. No wonder Coq didn’t get his pick until he was 23, he was never at the club, always loaned out!

    We have a palsied transfer policy and a ridiculous loan system, random at best, and I’ll considered at best!

    Ffs.

    Morning all. Raining here

  2. Hell Raising Devil says:

    The Danny Welbeck news stinks a bit imo. He is coming back at exactly the time the TW opens. And while I like him as he works hard I feel that he will be branded like a new signing.

    I hope that the club manages to secure a defender and a forward. Tbh I like the idea of getting Draxler and play him as a forward. He has the height, the skill and knows how to get the others into the game. Plus he knows how to finish as well. And he is still very young……he could be what Henry was to us once and what Torres was to the dippers.

  3. Peter12 says:

    Very well said. Everything is spot on. All this has been said by so many other people, fans professional, you name it. The only person who flatly refuses to acknowledge is Wenger. Instead he tries smokescreen so to cover the many deficiencies of the team that he created himself and is responsible for. What is it that he is trying to do? What does it take to shift him out?

  4. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I would love us to keep Gnabry. He is a winger, he has speed, he has work ethic and he is a finisher as well.

    As others have said….keep him till Christmas……but then see how it pans out…..maybe even keep him beyond.

  5. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    It is a shame transfers negotiations play out so publicly…..players agents ensure it happens, unfortunately.
    Still, they do and you’re spot on, Rico-bickering over seeming small amounts of money (relatively speaking) hardly make a player feel truly wanted.
    The more I think about it, the more I realise Wenger really does offer fees he knows are too low, then drags it up, little by little, until hopefully he gets the price he wants.
    The trouble is, It costs us player after player.

  6. Lee says:

    Our direct competition in the PL doesn’t seem to have difficulty signing players does it? I definitely think Wenger is the stumbling block, I really can’t get my head around what goes through his mind.

    We’ve needed a different striking option to Giroud for ages, we’ve needed a top CB for a while too but we just make do….

  7. kelsey says:

    Morning again.

    I am sure i read this new post earlier on The Anglo Indian Arsenal Gooner website 😉

    Why mention Welbeck this week.

    Igo back to my earlier comment.Crystal palace have now spent 50 million (though let the odd one or two go.0

    The other thing to mention is our inury record so for that reason alone we need two players for every pne f we indeedbuy anyone. Kos is playing with a ddgy hamstring as ell.

    I can’t believe the way we are conducting business in this Window.We are becoming a laughing stock, I feel embarrassed as a supporter.

    If we buy another unknown many will think we have a saviour or anyone will do.

    Jonny Evans doesn’t even want to join us.

    We should have a stronger team tomorrow so let’s see what happens.

    If we win or even draw,AW will come out that we don’t need anyone if we lose he will give us the same recording we have heard for years.

    I actually can’t believe he can’t secure the two players we have needed for at least two seasons.pathetic and if that is our busines srole model heaven help us all.

  8. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning all, looks like Chelsea trying to spend 50m on a CB, yet we still waiting. Maybe it is because he has a slight injury, maybe we waiting for Liverpool or whoever else to come in, then it at least looks like we tried. Clocks ticking, points being dropped, but WE ARE OUT THERE!!

  9. potter says:

    I think not ! Scott. I learned years ago to conclude a deal with someone means finding a position where both parties are happy. If you work towards this there should be no problem. It would appear that Arsenal be it Wenger , Gazidis , Law whoever try to browbeat their prospective partner into submission. The club now has the reputation for doing this and so every bid we make is knocked back because they know that we will manouvre upwards in the end. It’s a bad policy and that’s why these things take so long and often we get gazzumped because as you say agents are making things public to try and force their hands and get the price to go up.

  10. Wavy says:

    Gnarbry, 21! He’s no youngster really, is he?
    If he’s as good as Olympic form seems to suggest, you have to wonder why he has not been given a run out with the 1st team before now.
    The sorry tale of the aging fallen hero begins, “once upon a time……” And for ten years the history he writes becomes the basis of legendary tales. Somehow, somewhen the aging maestro takes a turning of the designated route and completely loses his way. What were once his tenets of magnificance become dangers of great cunning. Youth becomes a taboo word and only to mentioned in connection with loans or sales or both. It’s little wonder we have few, very few players arriving from Hale End equipped to play senior football, maybe because the old chap has lost his bottle and is frightened to ‘blood’ them just in case they fail, not because he has the faith in them to succeed. It’s almost as if his philosophy has turned through 180 degrees. With old age great caution comes! And judgement becomes impaired. Safe is sound, experimentation is dangerous and to avoided at all costs. As an oldster he has to live in the safe lane.
    The consequence of the aging process is totally enshrined in his behaviour and actions, caution, carefulness and have an ‘eye on the future’ and make sure all actions are risk free.
    Sadly the world needs a bit of blue sky thinking and not think that the old ways were ‘simply the best!’

    Time we had a younger, more progressive innovator at the helm of The Arsenal.

  11. kelsey says:

    AW yesterday. To me it’s excuses,excuses before facing the firing squad (the fans) because they and they alone will make him walk.Stupid man to see all his good work gradually get undone until he is nearly despised by so many.

    “Arsene Wenger says he is prepared to enter the transfer market before the window closes on 31 August.

    The Arsenal boss has been criticised by fans for a lack of signings in recent years but his squad has suffered a spate of recent injuries.

    “I can reassure people we’re ready to spend the money we have,” Wenger said.

    “It’s important to spend money but more important to spend it the right way. There are two markets, one for English clubs, one for the rest of Europe.”

    The Gunners saw Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi go off in their opening Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, while Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Jack Wilshere were injured in pre-season and Danny Welbeck is a long-term absentee.

    Wenger said Ramsey “should be back after the international break”, ruling him out of league matches at Leicester on Saturday and Watford on 27 August and making him doubtful for Wales’ opening World Cup qualifier with Moldova on 5 September.

    The 66-year-old Frenchman, who has been in charge of the Gunners since October 1996, urged the fans to trust his judgement and said he had completed over 400 transfers during his time at Arsenal.

    “It is dangerous. English clubs suffocate themselves by buying players at a high price with high wages, if it goes wrong you are left with players with high wages,” he said.

    “The identity of the buyer multiplies transfers by two or three or even 10 times more.”

  12. rico says:

    To be fair Wavy, he had a hard time at WBA which really did him more harm than good but at the end of the season he was playing well for the under 21’s – I still feel he has a lot to give the first team, possibly more than a few others who play on the right….

  13. bradster says:

    I still say that he measures what he needs to stay in the top 4.

    He checked how the 2 youngsters do at CB and I reckon he’s happy with Holding. Knows Kos is back, Monreal and Debuchy can play CB while still having full backs and Gabriel can be pushed in sooner than expected and the next window is open by then just in case.
    He’ll use Bielik in the cups as CB too.

    The midfield is packed so no replacements needed there.
    He feels the forward line has enough in Giroud, Walcott, Sanchez, Akpom, Asane, Ox and even Campbell.

    Only if he feels that he can sell 2 of the attackers and buy a more prolific one that will ensure 4th spot, will he buy one.

    So only if he really needs a defender after this game then he will sign one 31/08/2016.

    Lastly, if a bargain falls from one of the big teams, a Bony, a Dimechalis, a Mangala or some other player will he buy.

  14. Lewis says:

    Good day all.

    Gnabry deserves a run imo.

    How much do people think we’d get for Walcott in today’s market?

  15. Adam says:

    I think the real game in town is what happens next, after Wenger. Gnabry and players like that are a total side issue to me. There is no way surely that Wenger can be offered a new contract after the way he has carried on for the past decade. The board might think differently but there’s a feeling in the air that the fans are at breaking point with paying such high prices and seeing such a lack of conviction from the manager down.
    A new manager who has the ‘weight’ to insist on massive funds and not a young bloke like Eddie Howe. No disrespect but our needs grow greater with every cock-up and stupid press conference that Wenger gives these days. We need quality footballers for sure but we need game-changers who aren’t going to roll over like they did on Sunday. The oft quoted mental strength is really just a phrase that means nothing any more.

  16. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kelsey…..the only player who imo MIGHT turn out to be our saviour (and he is the club) is Akpom….if he is played in the right way.

    Had AW began the game with Xhaka and Cazorla instead of Aaron and Elneny then it would have been easier to introduce Akpom with 30/25 mins to go. I agreed with the introduction of OX as well. Next game will see AW being forced (hopefully) to begin with Ox and Cazorla and Xhaka.

    I would go for this line up

    Cech
    Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Nacho
    Xhaka, Coquelin
    Ox, Cazorla, Alexis
    Theo

    Then introduce Akpom for the last 30 mins in place of Theo….the latter will get tired mentally after 60/65 mins of play…he becomes bored imo. And maybe Elneny for Cazorla if the latter shows any effects of tiredness.

  17. allezkev says:

    Afternoon All

    Afternoon Rico, good post…

    Wenger and the club are full of bullshit, I don’t believe anything they say anymore.

    So, Gnabry really is a part of Wengers plans is he..?
    And Arsene wants him to sign a new contract..?!

    Well of course Arsene wants him to sign, because then he’ll get a better fee when we sell him, as we surely will…

  18. kelsey says:

    Walcott,between 12 to 15 million.

    He seemed doomed to be a bench warmer at the end of last season at 110K a week.(nice work if you can get it.)

    Very injury prone, can’t tackle or head a ball or take a decent corner, but a very nice young man.I think AW had every intention to sell him to either West Ham or Liverpoo,then it went all quiet and now he isn’t a CF and he doesn’t track back when on the flanks and is useless at penalties.

    Nearly 11 years at the club, a very costly investment at the age of 27.I think he wil play when needed.

    Whenever he plays for us or England he drifts out of games far too long.

    if one is happy that he turns up properly every 6/7 games fair enough but for me he doesn’t warrant a place in the starting 11 when everyone is available, but of course that never happens 😉

  19. Bob John says:

    Hi all
    You have to question if we are actually trying to sign anyone at all. The press keep making up stories that we are in for x player but in reality we never actually make a bid. Like Mahrez for instance. Never actually bid for him but the way it gets reported is that he turned us down. Lots of rumours that we are in for a really big name striker but you can’t even begin to believe that! Only big name striker I can think of is Frank Large! ( some of you may remember him!)

  20. allezkev says:

    And as for all that Welbeck nonsense, according to all the info I’ve read before, Danny was due back in early February…!

    Now how does that equate with Welbeck recovering 4 months early around Christmas time..?

    Unless there’s been complications, yeah I can hardly believe it myself…

    What a fcuking joke of a club…

  21. scottfromoz says:

    Kelsey, I’d have agreed with your estimated fee on Theo, but looking at what others have brought this season, I did up it a bit.
    In a very direct side, he’d be much better as he’s certainly no Arsenal player.
    Sell.

  22. Lee says:

    According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez has told the club he wants to leave to secure a move to Serie A champions Juventus…..

    Probably bollocks but would he even consider fucking off if Wenger equipped the squad better?

    Wenger is holding us back.

  23. kelsey says:

    I think it’s fair to say that our wage bill is among the highest in the country, so it is unlikely players leave for more money, but what they regard as a better opportunity to win things elsewhere. RVP, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas and others. In the past and happening now with Sanchez and Ozil, he allows players contracts to run down until the club’s position is much weaker. In my view, if a player you want to keep has not renewed and has less than 2 years remaining on their contract either sell them or strengthen the squad with sufficient quality so that they believe they can achieve what they want with the Club

    I think that’s the real issue.Lee I wouldn’t blame Sanchez, would you ?

  24. kelsey says:

    Indeed lee. I have said it many times,he doesn’tt have the right character to be a hardened professional.He chose the wrong sport but he is financially made for life .)

  25. Lee says:

    Not at all Kelsey, I mean RvP called it a few seasons ago and a few players before him too….. Yes it’s true we have a massive wage bill but it’s wasted on wankers.

    Who is in charge of that?

    The cold truth is you’re NOT wining a major trophy under Wenger….period! Last season proved that…. still “there’s only one Arsene Wenger!”

  26. Lee says:

    Brudder why would he leave? Stan has put him on £110k pw NO club in their right mind would pay him that, would they? Kozza must be thinking I earn just over half of that sprinter in football boots with no real football nous, I’d be looking elsewhere….

    Everything is too cushty at Arsenal, all aboard the Arsenal gravy train first stop underachievesville…

  27. Adam says:

    I agree Brudder. It’s not the size of the wage bill, it’s how you use it. Paying TR about £80k a week last season for about 20 minutes or Arteta a similar amount for what? They both should have been shipped out and replaced long before. Don’t get me started on Diaby. A new manager would be forced to take a long hard and savagely realistic view on Jack too.
    Top level sport is not a retirement home or a kids school. You don’t deliver? Sorry about your incessant injuries but, goodbye.

  28. rico says:

    Afternoon Kev, thanks…

    I really hope Alexis doesn’t go but if he does, life for Wenger will have just got much worse….

  29. Lee says:

    If you were Alexis or Ozil, hand on heart what would you do??

    You’re never wining the Holy grail of the CL under Wenger, so go somewhere where you can or at least will be in the mix too…..

  30. Lee says:

    Wenger won’t pay the asking price of players today but says Sanogo will be a £50m player……something doesn’t add up?!?!

  31. potter says:

    The club has wasted it’s financial advantage over the past 10 years. Players reach a stage where they have more money than they know what to do with and then all that’s left for them are trophies. They come to Arsenal full of hope for both but gradually get worn down until the realisation that the club’s aims are not the same as theirs and then they look for pastures new.

    The good ones anyway.

  32. rico says:

    Ask to go if Wenger isn’t going to go big before September..

    But if I knew he was leaving next summer, I’d probably stay…

  33. Hell Raising Devil says:

    that is the way it should be Adam. Diaby, Jack, TR (although he was a favourite) MA and to a certain sense RVP would all have been shipped out long before their expiry date. Sorry if you are getting injured….I need those who can at least walk on the pitch.

  34. rico says:

    Very true Adam, but I guess like us, they got bored of such unambitious ways….

    I wish Wenger’s loyalties would stretch as far as the fans rather than do all he can to upset them…

  35. frednerk says:

    Even if we bought and I include:

    Loother Miss-it
    Rick-O-Shay
    Fu-Kin-No-One

    After a couple of months
    It would all go back to square one
    wouldn’t it.

  36. rico says:

    Would it move on from square one in the first place?

    Mind you, a bit of experience at the back, more protection from a strong midfield and a bloke who can score would help enormously…. lol

  37. rico says:

    GUILLEM SAYS

    Valencia as a club need to sell. The Valencia coaching staff want to keep Mustafi. Arsenal are not paying what Valencia want which is near €40m. Valencia are also saying they do not want to sell a key player in the last week of the transfer window. Arsenal say they do not want to pay ahead of his real value. So that is where we are. By the way, I do not think Mustafi is good enough for Arsenal but there are not many good centre-backs available in the market right now. He would be a slight improvement on their current centre-backs but he is not worth the fee suggested.

  38. frednerk says:

    When we were 1-4 down sunday Rico.

    I would have been happy with that
    Red faced steward who hangs around
    the chavs dugout,coming on.

  39. RickyI says:

    Anyone else deeply embarrassed by our links to Jonny Evans? It’s like Silvestre all over again! 🙁

  40. Lee says:

    No not really Ricky, it’s a shit show at Arsenal NOTHING surprises me anymore!

    Yes we should be setting our sights higher that Jonny fucking Evans…..

  41. frednerk says:

    Adam
    Lets all hope we ain’t
    12pts behind.

    Love to play Arsene in a poker
    game.

    Wonder how many million 12pts
    are worth?

  42. Micko says:

    Lee, admit it, your just fickle, name me another football stadium with snazzier restaurants than ours !

  43. kelsey says:

    Strange how we alwways buy or get linked with United cast offs.Even Welbeck wasn’t highly rated and now with a year out will he improve or even get to where he was.Most never recover completely.

    I remember Rosicky in the Euros and was so pleased we bought him not ever thinking he would be more injured than play over the years.

    Arshavin excited me.Watch his speed in the classic 4-4 draw.he finished up a wreck,the football was coached out of him and like Ramsey now,played in the wrong position.These are elementary standards that Wenger over complicates and then we don’t get the best of a player from the position he was originally bought for.

    Maybe Cech will play CH if we get deaperate 😉

  44. Lewis says:

    Good article Kelsey, covers pretty much what we’ve been saying on here for years. For the most part we as fans are realistic, we just want our club to utilise its available resources to be successful.

    Sorry to ask the Walcott question earlier and then vanish, hectic old afternoon. I asked it because I see more value in selling him than keeping him. Exorbitant wages for a player that is bang average. In the right set up he could be effective but our manager still hasn’t figured out how to get the best out of him. If we could get 15mill and his wages off the books surely it makes sense?!!!

  45. kelsey says:

    Another real strange signing and 5 years wasted.Joel Campbell.Why did we by him without a work permit and then when he got one,back out on loan.Played preseason and looked quite useful at the back end of last season but one can’t play at ones best being treated like a yoyo.

    Someone explain to me what AW wwants from him or if not needed get rid of him years ago.Dithering comes to mind.

    Sporting Lisbon could be about to seal a deal for Joel Campbell, reports the Daily Star, with the paper saying that Arsenal have “opened talks” with the Portuguese outfit.

    Quoting O Jogo newspaper, the Star says that negotiations are underway with Sporting keen to sign the 24-year-old Costa Rica international. There was an unsuccessful attempt last year to sign Campbell, who has struggled to convince Arsene Wenger he should be a regular starter for the Gunners, desperate several impressive displays last season.
    The emergence of Alex Iwobi is likely to restrict Campbell’s appearances further and Sporting will finally land their man provided they table a big enough bid

  46. Lewis says:

    Another anomaly in wengers thinking Kelsey. Campbell is a decent option for us, more often than not he produces good performances when played and the Wenger sticks him on the bench to be replaced by one of his favourites.

  47. kelsey says:

    Arsenal players wages per Week 2016 (full squad contracts 2015-16) NB LAST SEASON

    How much does Mesut Ozil and Alex Sanchez earn a week? Who is Arsenal’s Highest Paid players? Here are the full Arsenal FC salaries, weekly wage and contract details.
    Player Age Weekly Wage Deal Contract left
    Petr Čech 33 £100,000 New signing (4 Years) 2019
    David Ospina 26 £40,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Damián Martínez 22 £10,000 (2 Years) 2017
    Per Mertesacker 30 £70,000 (2 Years) 2017
    Laurent Koscielny 29 £60,000 (2 Years) 2017
    Gabriel Paulista 24 £50,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Kieran Gibbs 25 £60,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Nacho Monreal 28 £50,000 (2 Years) 2017
    Mathieu Debuchy 29 £70,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Calum Chambers 20 £10,000 (5 Years) 2020
    Héctor Bellerín 19 £10,000 (Last Year) 2015
    Mathieu Flamini 30 £65,000 (Last Year) 2016
    Francis Coquelin 23 £20,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Mikel Arteta 32 £80,000 (Last Year) 2016
    Krystian Bielik 17 £2,000 (5 Years) 2020
    Jack Wilshere 23 £90,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Aaron Ramsey 24 £80,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Abou Diaby 28 £65,000 (Last Year) 2015
    Mesut Ozil 26 £140,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Tomás Rosicky 34 £85,000 (Last Year) 2016
    Santi Cazorla 30 £90,000 New contract (4 Year) 2019
    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 21 £65,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Serge Gnabry 19 £10,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Alexis Sánchez 26 £130,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Theo Walcott 26 £110,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Olivier Giroud 28 £100,000 (3 Years) 2018
    Danny Welbeck 24 £75,000 (4 Year) 2019
    Joel Campbell 23 £30,000 (Last Year) 2016

  48. kelsey says:

    That’s why I mentioned him lewis.IMO he is as good as any of the other reserves.Reads the game well but lack of opportunity,he will be off.

  49. Le Coq Monster says:

    Evening all !.

    Been driving around all the Cornish beaches today and seen no decent Strikers, I have though seen plenty of scantilly clad women in the heat and at one point had to rub suncream factor 50 on to my tongue !.
    We`ve all heard of Bucket Lists, but how about a ………..Kick the Bucket List !………………No1 on mine is Kroenke !………………..I agree all about Wenger being given the money to spend and him not doing so for whatever reason, plus his training and tactics are in the past, but we cannot forget that the Evil Kroenke is never going to put his own money in the club and if our self sustainable model money available is £100m…… then that`s not enough to compete with the big 3 !
    Wenger and Kroenke are both the problem, it`s just that some see only either one as the problem !…….it`s a win double my friends !
    If Manshafter win tonight then tomorrows foxes game becomes a MWG ! hahaha

    No news on Ornstein !

  50. Le Coq Monster says:

    Oh !..and for what seems the only woman on site in Rico…………..there were scantilly clad men about as well ! 😀

  51. rico says:

    LC, I reckon £100m spent by the club and with a motivated young and ambitious manager, we’d more than compete with all the top clubs, I really do….

    Just a top striker and defender would make a huge difference but Wengers stale football won’t….

  52. Le Coq Monster says:

    Rico……………..I have always been of the opinion that we need pace and stamina for the brand of football I would like seen played…….basically the pressing game !. I seem to only remember us do it a few times……………..beaten chavs 3-1 at Ems donkeys years ago, Napoli (?) and Manshafter last season at Ems !.
    Am I wrong in thinking we always seem up against it when we play a pressing ?……………………………Bindippers broke the premier league record for most miles runs against us……is it a coincidence ?
    Imo all clubs should be able to play that kind of game and all players as they are young men should be able to train to such standards !…………………..obviously Arshavin not included !. hahaha

  53. kelsey says:

    Those are last season’s wages Rico.Some have negotiated better contracts.Bellerin is up to 20K

    Terrible for Theo if it’s 140K or 110K week 😉

  54. Le Coq Monster says:

    You know what !………………other than Ornstein I take any other rumour with a pinch of salt and often wonder how they make them up, because to tell you the truth they are all rubbish !…………….basically I might as well use my knob as a diving rod and hover it over all the Panini stickers to get a reaction to who we are going to sign and it would be just as good a rumour as has been on newsnow since the season ended !…………………………Right I`m of to Tesco`s to prove my theory and if I`m not back withing 30 mins, it`s probably because I have been arrested as the Paniniu sticker aisle is next to the school uniform aisle !.

  55. Wath says:

    I have been trying to dissect Wengers comments on knowing Ramsey was injured at half time last week and it’s almost impossible not to be extremely rude and insulting about the man….

    What fucking planet is this man on…? Apart from gross negligence the mere fact he has the gall to tell us all shows the utter contempt in which he holds the players fitness and the intelligence of the fans. It also shows a complete lack of faith and trust in his subs….!

    The bloke is a clown of epic proportions and we’re lumbered with this person for at least another year…. It’s beyond belief…!

  56. Adam says:

    Evening Wath. That is the kind of opinion I am hearing more and more from Arsenal fans. It is unfortunate that his lengthy tenure is going to end in tears and a certain amount of upheaval it seems.
    As I said earlier, the next manager interests me, ’cause this bloke, for all his supposed intelligence, isn’t taking the club anywhere worth going.

  57. Wath says:

    Exactly Kelsey, the mere fact he makes it public like he’s being a smart arse, am beginning to think Lee is spot on, the bloke is mentally ill…!

    Adam, my opinion of the man is dropping by the day….. The way things going we already in a new season that very soon will be a right off… The new manager “if” we ever get one is going to have to sweep clean with a huge broom because there seems to be shit all over the place.

    It’s getting to the point that I’d settled for Bart Simpson becoming our manager…. What next in the Wenger list of cock up’s…………

  58. Le Coq Monster says:

    Just back from Tesco`s !…………….had a cunning plan to avoid arrest, I used a Butternut Squash instead !………………Good news ……….it works !………….Bad news !………….it was like it was possessed and wouldn`t shift away hovering over Sanogo !.

    Love the Kroenke Out site !
    I`ll tell you what pissed me off yet again with Darth Wenger in the Ramsey excuse is that he didn`t have to play him !……..let me think 💡 oh yeah !………did we not have Santi, Xhaka and Wilshere on the bench and anyway Ramsey hadn`t played in the Euro`s for weeks !…………..and even if he would have played in 2 months time he could have picked up a hamstring injury !………..we are The Arsenal, we specialise in injuries !.

  59. Le Coq Monster says:

    I think Arsene suffers from dementia !……..why ? you say !………..evidence and I know it`s only hearsay, but a mate of mine said he saw Arsene come out exhausted from the London Colney training ground like he had a thorough workout !………..what`s that got to do with dementia you say ?……………..it was because he was speed walking around and around in the revolving door to the reception !.

  60. Obi says:

    Wath at 6:39 – Bro why are you surprised. The man sent Ozil back out after half time (I believe against Chelsea) when the physio had told him that Ozil has a damaged knee. The results Ozil nearly missed the rest of the season. That’s the insane things you do when your squad is short.

  61. rico says:

    Well, he’s quoted in the Express as saying he knew about Aaron and that he wasn’t the same player in the second half…..

  62. Rick says:

    Evening Rico and the house.
    At H/T the U23’s are losing 1-0 away to city.
    Macey keeping the score down
    Sheaf again at C/H and on a yellow.
    more latter.

  63. Le Coq Monster says:

    The knives are being sharpened !…………………..if we were to lose tomorrow and some ridiculous excuses are made, then expect fan meltdown !…………….obviously we all want to win ( fuck a draw, not much better than a loss !), but exciting times whatever the result !

    Anyone know if you can actually gets odds from a bookie for us picking up a 6 week injury to a player ?. hahahaha

  64. Obi says:

    You are right Rico, at least Ozil came back Santi missed the rest of the season. The logic is baffling how one goes from debating to play Ramsey for that game because of injury fear to failing to pull him when he’s injured. “Only One Arsene”.

  65. Wavy says:

    I believe the reason old arse likes to share these secret little Bon mots with the press or whomsoever else who will listen is because, ‘his prettier wife at home’ (another one of his allusions or even illusions!) is that he hasn’t got one! She got pissed off with his philandering and his forgetfulness, took her settlement, and daughter and left for Paris. So………we get all the shite…….! Because he can’t remember who or what he’s told whom, nor even what it’s all about.
    I forget what I was going to say next! There I’m the same one dimential…………..!

  66. Wath says:

    We have a few strikers who have a chance but if we find the right players we buy. But if you ask people ‘give me names’ they just sit in front of you — it is not that easy.
    ‘We have Olivier Giroud, Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Chuba Akpom, Danny Welbeck and Yaya Sanogo who is still here but is injured at the moment — the players we buy have to be better.’

    Wenger has quoted the above, if the Ramsey thing isn’t bad enough he’s taking the f’kin piss including Sanogo and then to say we need to only buy better…? Is he for real I mean really….?

    I most definitely think he needs to do an Elvis and please please please leave the building….!

  67. Le Coq Monster says:

    I wonder what Lacazette`s price was before the season started and what it is now he has 5 goals in 2 games ?

    6 points behind Manshafter and we`re not even into the second Saturday of the season !. hahaha

    Rumour has it that Wenger sees Alexis as a cross between Aguero and Suarez !…………….now to be honest I said similar to this a long time ago and I agree, but I still want another striker as we need one, so stop fcuking about and spend the money……………….if he hadn`t fucked about haggling for so long we would have got Lacazette weeks ago, I fear now it`s too late !………………re-read first sentence !

    Assuming massive funds are indeed available !………….let`s imagine and fantasize on how much one of the top managers would have spent if Arsene had vacated his job at end of last season !………………..hazy dream mode !……..heavenly music !…………Beyonce enters my bedroom naked !……..ooopps !, wrong fantasy !……………Pep is in Tesco`s, butternut squash in one hand and blank cheque book in other whilst dribbling over Panini stickers !.

  68. frednerk says:

    As I only get one ticket per game
    what statement can I make.

    It’s down to the rest to put
    pressure on this total load of
    bullshit.
    Point is we can only do one
    thing.
    Boycott a game some where.
    it has to be done.
    I know what it all costs

  69. pat_97 says:

    So the party starts over at Manchester, looking at that squad / team/ bench, Who secretly envy,s that competent bunch of men that walked out at old trafford tonight,
    I know i do , Winners winners winners from manager,player etc, that squad looks shit hot.
    “WE ARE THE ARSENAL” as ever, but fuck me, like him or not,Mourinho, the mans a winner and knows how to gather a title winning team, .

  70. allezkev says:

    Rick, the Arsenal Academy is as big a shambles as the senior squad.

    No centre- backs, yet two sent out on loan, who is in fcuking charge over there, because the Yank hasn’t a fcuking clue…

  71. kelsey says:

    Morning

    so the latest is, reports in Portugal claim that the Gunners are set to offload Campbell.

    According to O Jogo, Arsenal have agreed to send Campbell to Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan.

    Campbell has hardly been given a fair crack of the whip at Arsenal.

    The 24-year-old Costa Rican has already been loaned out four times since joining the Gunners five years ago.

    He’s impressed many fans when he has had a decent run in Wenger’s team, but the manager is seemingly not satisfied.

    Disillusioned Arsenal supporters could well turn against Wenger even more when Campbell leaves

    Is he making a clean sweep of all these youngsters.if I were Campbell I caouldn’t wait to go and one has to question Wengers judgement more and more.

    It is suggested offloading all these players increases our power to spend which is bollox.

    Even if he gets mustafiit’s it’s too late,the planning these past two seasons has been non existant.

    I can’t beleve Kroenke is sanctioning this total balls up.It is actually worse than at any time hese past 5 years.If we lose today there will be uproar like one has never witnessed for decades.

  72. ScottfromOz says:

    Kelsey, Campbell busts his arse, so it’s obviously the right call to keep Theo 🙂
    Incredible.

  73. Tsgh says:

    Campbell was only saved. 2 years ago because he scored 2 goals agaiinst yanited in ucl.

    As never really wanted biomass as he is a product of the war going on between duckies law and AW.

  74. Joseph says:

    Just woke up this morning to see appartenly we dont need a striker cause sanchez will do as good as job as suraez, sanchez is a brilliant player but not a out and out striker my son who is only 8 knows this but our board pays a fucking old deluded man over 8 million a year to make shocking decisions like these, im done until with our club until change is made from top to bottom.

  75. kelsey says:

    Hopefully Stan has instructed AW to offload as maany as possible,keep even more money in the bank and then hopefully sell ot. I know wishful seeking.

    Why buy Campbell in the first place.His tenure at Arsenal has been a joke so has the whole project youth. We can’t get good kids come through to the first team bar the odd one like bellerin and we won’t buy quality at the going rate. For everyone’s sake he needs to go.

    Not sure which result is better for us today.I shouldn’t even been thinking like that one game into the season.

  76. Joseph says:

    Tsgh i speak from the heart, there wasnt much chanting for wenger last sunday. Time for fans to fight to get our club back to where it should be. No passion, no fight, no desire and no leadership in our club.

  77. ScottfromOz says:

    Sanchez and Giroud in 2 up front?
    Never happen, so not sure why Wenger even discusses Sanchez as a striker.

  78. rico says:

    And some people wonder why Wenger gets so much stick, the man really is losing, or perhaps lost, his marbles….

    Morning all..

  79. tsgh says:

    Agreed Joseph.

    ‘re.Higuain’s value…in my opinion it is false economy. if it wasn’t for Pogba moving to yanited higuain would have been valued for £ 30 m tops…
    My reason is that because he joined Naples the were in ucl… When he joined they regressed with the same squad…although he tapped in the goals to make himself look good looking at his stats at least.

  80. tsgh says:

    Aw thinking AS17 can become a striker suddenly is wishful thinking…
    Anyone who genuinely watched AS17 at Udinese will recall he could not play in a front 2 with one of the best poachers the game has seen Do Natale.
    Even with Chile he plays in a free role…
    Chile’s success has loads to do with the tenacity of unsung heroes like Aranguiz, the pit bull who is the only cb standing under 5’7 and still win headers against German strikers.

  81. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, Giroud is no poacher, though……how many chances does he set up?
    I’d say anyone with ability could succeed next to him.
    Giroud is made for 2 up front and I’ll never understand why we haven’t used that set up.

  82. Lee says:

    Scott he set up 4 goals last season but what’s more relevant is that he failed to convert enough of Ozil’s created chances(135 I think)

    He also didn’t score for 15 games which derailed our season. We need a pacey clinical finisher and have done for ages….

    The Wenger comments on Ramsey are unbelievable…..why does he open his mouth up??

  83. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico

    Just been listening to the Arseblog Arsecast, and it was an hour of gallows humour, what else can you do if you want to retain your sanity..?

    You kind of go beyond the point of really caring as its too painful and you’re sick of feeling pissed off…

    I will follow the game on the radio but I have absolutely no idea what kind of Arsenal will turn up….

  84. Lee says:

    AK an ill prepared, not physically strong, not mentally strong, make shift over paid team managed by a washed up dinosaur of a manager!

    I can see nothing but an Arsenal win! ?

  85. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, I was more talking of Sanchez potentially playing alongside Giroud, as I’ve always said Giroud is much more suited to a 2 up for the system, IMO.
    Yes, we need an Aguero, for mine.

  86. Bradster says:

    Morning all,

    This season looks to be our toughest as we all expected. The world’s top managers, tv money for all teams in the premier and good buys by all the teams. Even the whipping boys Hull don’t look it for now.

    Pogba and Ibrahimovic showing that spending on class usually pays off and not likely to be expensive flops.

  87. Bradster says:

    I think we need an RVP type player off Giroud, he was a perfect goal scoring number 10.
    I rate Coutinho the best of that type in the league.

  88. allezkev says:

    Morning Lee, when are you and Adam going to sort out a date for the HHCC.?
    You keep on threatening ?

    As far as the Leicester game is concerned, don’t be surprised if we don’t go and win there, it’s what our schizophrenic team does…

    Then Arsene can announce that he doesn’t need to sign anyone and that Sanogo will be like a new signing…

  89. Wath says:

    Here’s the conundrum I think I have now solved and can live with……

    I want us to win today, bollox to Wenger and his bullshit, bollox to the rest of the muppets there fucking up my club, it’s my team my club and I want us to win simple as that….

    However…………

    If we are to lose then I don’t want us to lose by the odd goal… I want us to get stuffed good and proper just like last week so there are no positives to hide behind for the delusional one, no excuses to justify the loss just a loss where the whole world and it’s wife can see once and for all through all the bullshit being spouted by our manager and club officials as to how wonderful we are..!

    Can you imagine what Alexis and Ozil think when reading that utter nonsense from Wenger about strikers and he throw’s in the name Sanogo…? Add the Campbell debacle to the mix and you can do nothing but shake your head and wonder…..

    The next new film from Disney, Arsene in wonderland……!

  90. kelsey says:

    Yes he is mad,confirmed.

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “We have plenty of players who want to join us and I would say that even with the players who left, 99.5% of the players have asked to come back even when they left. It’s not so difficult to attract players.

    “You are absolutely convinced that I do not want to spend the money, but I reassure you we are ready to spend the money. What I fight against is to think that the only way in football is to buy. To buy in itself is not a quality but to buy the good players is a quality, and I think this club has been built on that.”

  91. scottfromoz says:

    Arsene truly thinks he’s doing the right thing.
    I’m positive of that.
    He needs to realise it’s a fight he will never win….money ALWAYS wins out, unfortunately.

  92. Micko says:

    Kelsey, give him a break, if the quality isn’t out there what is he supposed to do.

    Wath, I think you might just get your wish.

  93. Lee says:

    He is mental totally mental….. stop wasting funds on wankers like Walcott, Wilshere etc and reinvest it in proper players!

    Athletico Madrid have got less money than us yet they do ok….

  94. Lee says:

    A good manager would of sorted this squad out at the start of the transfer window or at least got the wheels in motion….Wenger is waiting for last minute bargains but that gives the selling club no time to get a replacement in.

    Wenger’s hands must be numb as fuck!

  95. Wath says:

    Micko, my wish is we win mate… Always… BUT the flip side is if we are to lose I don’t want a result that has any positives for the lunatic to justify any kind of positive or to spin anymore drivel that will allude to him being able to not spend… Then again I think he’d justify not spending if we lost 25 nil…!

    Scott, my honest opinion is Wenger is doing a little of what he thinks is right but it’s more now about going against what everyone is telling him so he can say “I was right, you’re all wrong”…!

  96. Wavy says:

    He’s always been a stubborn bastar* . He is just behaving true to type. He will never change. He will never take advice. He will never listen. He will never resign.
    And there, in a nutshell you have it.
    We, the Club, the players, the coaches and even the tea lady are stuck with him, through thick and thin and thinner! He’s going to end up like Clough, only perhaps without the red nose!
    The brand Wenger is fading and will soon disappear, but you know we’ll miss him when he’s gone………but, hopefully not for long!

    Afternoon all. Very windy here, although it may have been the beans!

  97. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Afternoon all
    M.city 2 up
    I’ve just watched the 1st half of the last game
    We need much more for figthing for the League

  98. Wath says:

    That about sums him up Wavy, operates on ego and stubborness, his way or the highway and the more we all highlight he is wrong the more he won’t do what’s right just because that would prove he was wrong all along.

    Will we miss him or will we just be relieved it’s all over due to how much he has fallen from his pedestal ?

    This is not the Wenger that made us such a force not by a million miles.

    Rick, the way they set up from top to bottom are messing players around and playing them out of position to cover up our weaknesses and short comings is a joke and will make players want to up and leave. Who’s master plan is that…?

  99. kelsey says:

    Micko

    did you say give him a break. He has all the ammo he needs to at least pacify the fans and really compete with the other clubs to a certain degree.

    Knowing we are prone to injuries he asn’t put together a balanced squad and could easily have bought at a minimum the two quality players we needed last season let alone this season.

    That line up last Sunday was an embarrassment and equated to what he is paid was scandalous.
    We will most probably get a stronger team today but the man has well and truly lost it,just read his recent quotes.

    Do you one signing in Mustafi will change our season.Maybe i a and millions of others ae totally wrong and we will win the league.

    We have a dreadful record against all the other so called big boys yet beat leicester twice last season and still finished ten points behind them.

    If you change your team around week in andweek out you will never get consistency.

    We will never ever see a manager like SAF or Wenger have a 20 + year spell again and when he eventually goes we may well do worse short term but we don’t exactly have a wonderful record in Europe.

    The excuses will finally run out.

    When you get to the second game of te season and some supporters want us to lose ,it’s alarming,it’s the whole regime that needs changing.

    Emminent football writers have been saying it on a daily basis all this week.They can’t all be wrong.

  100. Wath says:

    Kelsey…… Please excuse Micko you’ll have to get used to his humour… his comment was said with fishing rod in hand as is the norm……..! Although i am sure he isn’t laughing at the current situation that we find ourselves in yet again.

    What’s going to be worse, losing or drawing the first 4/6 games so our season is virtually over before it starts and the wheels to come off as quickly as possible so maybe by the time the AGM comes along the shit well and truly hits the fan or do we think a long drawn out season of mediocrity is enough for at least someone at the club in a position of power to question the way they have done things..?

    Then again the board seem to think everything is hunky dorey anyway what ever seems to happen…!

  101. Wath says:

    Just seen the rugby highlights, holy shit the All Blacks are one awesome team…. Now if only we were that cohesive efficient and superb…!! Yeh yeh yeh I know but i can still dream and wish.

  102. kelsey says:

    I remember towards the end of last season Sanchez was subbed (can’t remember the game) he was not a happy bunny but Wenger didn’t even look at him. That is another charactistic of Wenger i don’t see with any other manager.he shows no real emotion,never comforts players but knows how to throw a bottle of water to the ground. He comes over as a miserable old sod most of the time 🙂

  103. Marshall says:

    Another matchday and to be honest I don’t give two fcuks about it. I bet it will be drab and yeah if we loose, let it be a thrashing where that old know cannot hide with saying we are ‘unlucky’. If we loose we’ll go into game week 3 six points behind our title rivals.

    The AGM imo comes at a wrong time. It should come before the season kicks off. Where we the fans can give our demands and expectations of the season to come

  104. Marshall says:

    Been away for a while. Just read Rick’s post. My God I’d missed a good one! Arsene is such a hypocrite!! He says he can’t spend over the odds. and pays for just quality. Are we paying him over the odds for the (crap) quality of football he’s turned the club to be playing?

  105. Lewis says:

    Good day all.

    Genuinely scared of what shit Wenger is going to serve up today.

    One thing is for sure Mahrez and vardy are going to be up for it!

  106. Tsgh says:

    Signing Mustafi will not win us the title nor any prolific striker…
    As I have been saying for last 4 years…
    No team without a British centre back has won the EPL.
    Man city managed to win the title last minute with Leavitt playing his 12th game to win a medal.

  107. Tsgh says:

    Kev…chambers is a calamity…
    Nice guy and all but he is under the wrong manager to make the decisive step needed.

  108. Herb's Army says:

    Hi everyone.
    The Arsenal blogs are slow, and there’s not a lot of appetite or excitement from Arsenal fans, just a resignation that we’re nowhere near the standard we should be.
    It’s almost as though we’re mourning as we watch the slow painful death of our football club.
    I find it incredible that football remains so unregulated and these individuals are allowed to play with millions of people’s emotions without any accountability.
    Capitalism is a disease that punishes the wrong people.

  109. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I’ve finished watched the last game. How can we play with Alexis a central forward?
    We had tryed the same last year and was not eficiente. AS needs space and built the game behind the central forward. We had played with 10…
    I didn’t understand without so many players not put AS in his rigth position was a terrible mistake.
    It was better played with Akpom since rthe begginning.
    Campbell was yesterday in Lisbon. He will be a Sporting player today. Unfortunatelly. Ruiz and Campbell in the same team.

  110. kelsey says:

    I think he justs puts the names in a hat and picks the first 11
    .
    Leicester never lost a game last season when Huth played

    Again he is experimenting.

    Let’s see what happens
    .

  111. Herb's Army says:

    Five points behind the main three already means the title is over for Arsenal, simply because we all know they don’t have the desire to chase them and make it a fight.
    It was essential to get off to a flyer with all three getting new managers, but the tame, lack-lustre nature of Wenger’s preparation, mirrored in today’s game, tells us that now the three of them have a healthy lead on Arsenal, it will remain that way for the rest of the season.
    What a pathetically weak club Wenger has made us, and surrendering so early is scandalous for someone so handsomely rewarded.
    The whole regime at Arsenal are cowards and thieves.

  112. Le Coq Monster says:

    Evening all !

    My head says that we need to be languishing at the bottom of the table for heads to roll, but my heart wants to win every game !………..the game righted it for me, we are languishing !.

    This sums up the mental state of our once great manager, he said……………………….”‘We have Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott, Akpom and Sanogo who is still here but is injured at the moment – the players we buy have to be better’”………………………………what else can you do but laugh ! hahahahahahahahaha……………………………………and he gets paid £8M per year ! hahahahahahaha

  113. Le Coq Monster says:

    Just noticed that there were no in match comments !………………..you must all have been stunned into silence or there was some kind of “wacko cult” thingy going on around Rico`s place where you all committed suicide by holding your breath`s untill Wenger signs a striker !.

  114. Le Coq Monster says:

    Ornstein`s silent aswell !……………….you haven`t got him locked up in a cabinet Rico, have you ?……….

  115. Wath says:

    Don’t think anyone can be arsed to muster the energy to write anything Coq…..

    So nice to hear Wenger now resorting to sarcasm to justify his lack of spending, he really is an ignorant arrogant ignoramus…!

  116. Wath says:

    Amazing what happens in ten mins when you have a quality player on the pitch…. Wonder what would happen if we bought a couple more….! Oh well, we’ll probably never know.

  117. Le Coq Monster says:

    Imagine the relief amongst the rest of the premier league that Sanogo is out injured !…………….”OK lads, lets make the most of this before he comes back and terrorises our defence !”

  118. scottfromoz says:

    So again I didn’t miss much lol.
    Pay TV has all changed here in Oz, suddenly I need to uproot and change of live stream but stuff that-this is 2016 and I should be able to turn the television on 3)
    So far, 2 good nights sleep had which is better than the alternative lol.
    Let me guess-same toothless, insipid performance we’ve become accustomed to??
    Shame.

  119. frednerk says:

    Very good performance Scott
    But the two wide players
    were running into corner flags
    and back tracking..
    Wenger playered two wide players
    OX and Theoo and the smallest
    centre forward I have ever seen(Alexis)
    I honestly thought Alexis would come out
    the second with a ladder strapped to his
    back.

    We all know some how wenger will make
    a success of all this rubbish… Don’t we

  120. frednerk says:

    It’s like everyone says scott
    we just need a couple of the right players
    Looking at say Drinkwater maybe …he
    would have suited us better than Mahrez
    He looks a winner?

  121. Wath says:

    Scott, the defence looked way better apart from a stone wall penalty Leicester should of had in the 90th minute…..

    Midfield did ok lots of ball but didn’t create enough and for me the two wide men did very little.
    Ozil came on for the last 10/15mins and we looked a different side, quality players make others play better find spaces and make other think…! We still have zero width and Alexis had very little service what so ever and not as if he gonna thrive off high balls into the box against Morhan and Huth…!

    For me it was a ok performance but left us asking many questions still with very few answers.

  122. Wath says:

    Also thought Holding had a good game and Kos was excellent…! Santi was very quiet…! Says a lot when Wenger picks Holding over Chambers… Why no Akpom on the bench…?

  123. scottfromoz says:

    Wath-Why, why, why….we always have questions on Wengers selections mate, and sometimes, I doubt even he could answer lol.
    Good to see Holding go well as from the very small time I’ve seen of him, I was bloody impressed.
    Fred, on Drinkwater, not a bad call as we have enough flashy players, so some tough, seasoned pros wouldn’t hurt.
    One thing I know is this-we can’t be giving clubs a 5 point start after two games, especially teams that have strengthened.

  124. Wath says:

    The selections are based it seems on him picking his favs Scott, I look at today and know in my mind Theo and Ox are just not good enough, yes we’ve all had out say on Theo and we not wrong, Ox does the odd great thing but is nowhere near consistent enough and drifts out of a game so easily, he has the potential to hurt teams but never does and we’ll persevere with him for how much longer, as most will say there should be no sentimentality in football, so what if he goes somewhere else and is great, good for him as long as we buy a player that plays better for us than him that’s all that really matters.

  125. Wath says:

    Thought Holding was very solid Fred, he reads the game pretty well, comfy on the ball and decent in the air. HE seems to be in the right places when he should be, he gonna make mistakes at this level you just hope they don’t cost us and then affect his confidence but he looks a very good buy but now we have the sarcastic one talking utter bollox about being sorry he didn’t cost 55million… he really doesn’t get it at all does he..!

  126. scottfromoz says:

    Wath, I’d sell Theo before Ox.
    Theo has had every opportunity where at least Ox still has some age in his side.
    Still, if selling both meant buying a top striker, let them go.
    I guess the defence holding….pardon the pun….is a positive.

  127. scottfromoz says:

    As long as fans don’t take their frustration with Wenger out on the boys playing, I’ll be happy….good to see you gents offer positive report so thanks.
    Get Ozil back, get that bloody striker in ASAP and there is hope.

  128. potter says:

    Well the Japanese Asano has no work permit so no solutions there. Perhaps Gnabry will get the Campbell gig and get 15 minutes to prove himself. Today was a turgid display but not unexpected.

  129. Wath says:

    Scott, it’s not just a striker for me it’s a proper winger with savvy skill and speed….!

    Turgid, there I was thinking we were just about ok and Potter kills my thought process lol

  130. frednerk says:

    Wath… Chambers started off like that
    These young lads can do it..But
    will get found out
    I think we should have kept..Issac H

    Scott It’s inevitable Wenger will get it
    The Syrup is media shy he say,s
    very little……..

    I’m not north london..but them guy’s
    live and breath,The Arsenal and will
    fight,anyone who disagree’s.
    You cannot imagine how much
    a lot of the local geezers feel
    it is religion with them.
    Most can’t afford to get in
    around the area and the club no
    it,
    Thats why a lot of bad feeling is aimed Arsene

  131. Malaga gooner says:

    when you employ 600 people, you have to watch what you spend

    Wengers latest excuse about not spending any money

  132. Herb's Army says:

    Wenger is truly unbelievable.
    His latest affliction to spending a fraction of our huge resources is that it’s important that they can pay their 600 staff at the end of each month. If you’ve made sure your staff are paid and you have £300 million to spend…ad nauseum…
    That strikes me as a monumental amount of people helping take Arsenal to mediocrity, far too many hangers-on being rewarded for abject and complete failure.
    My head is truly fried, I just can’t comprehend what The Arsenal represent anymore.
    Without being competitive there is no point to their existence.

  133. Wath says:

    Proper wingers will beat the parked bus all day long Herb…. Gnabry from what I seen at the Olympics is a way better option than Theo that’s for sure.

    Agree Fred, Wenger has ruined Chambers, the boy needs a loan to get his confidence back and learn the dark arts as I think he could be good….! No comment on Isaac H… never ever given a chance…! Akpom will no doubt be the same

  134. Malaga gooner says:

    Herb, why does he even know how many people the club employs

    He’s there to manage the players and nothing else

  135. Wath says:

    Herb, he is talking more and more utter crap with each passing day, he’s fed up with the questions about his transfer policy… we’ll we’re fed up with your shit excuses as to why you won’t buy the necessary players we need…! Earn your gigantic salary take responsibility for “YOUR” decisions and do the fucking job you’re paid to do.

  136. frednerk says:

    Going back Herb
    We got the big loan for the
    new ground…
    The bank wanted us to spend
    the new income from the 60.000
    new fans on players.
    Wenger decided to pay very
    average players at the club
    £50.000 a week his vision of
    the Social new Arsene world.

    it’s like say..Hiring a west end theatre
    and putting Eddy The eagle up front

  137. Herb's Army says:

    Because he controls everything at the club, Malaga.
    One of the criticisms laid at Wenger’s door is that he spreads himself to thinly because he refuses to delegate and relinquish power. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal struggle with transfers since Dein left, which is solely down to Wenger. He’s had two club legends as his assistants, both defenders, Pat Rice and Steve Bould, and yet if you look at a lot of Wenger’s choices and defensive tactics, you could argue that neither have had a significant in-put. Particularly Bouldie, part of Arsenal’s famed back four and the meanest defence in the country.
    When Arsenal created the CL record for length of time without conceding, Martin Keown was working with the defence. Why wouldn’t you welcome that level of expertise at the club?
    Arsenal are inbalanced on and off the park, and it is all down to Wenger’s ego.

  138. Wath says:

    I know he is Fred, Have been in his company a few times, he’s a plum but also a good lad….. Grew up a chav but loves the Arsenal despite what ppl say or think about him. He got that rant spot on yet it’s no different to what we been asking and saying for years.

  139. Micko says:

    Might not be very popular but I can only see Akpom going the same way as Hayden under Arsene, he’ll be gone next summer,
    Holding done ok, got skinned a couple of times by Vardy but it’s another 90 minutes under his belt.
    Steady on Fred, that’s a bit harsh on Eddy, surely you meant Eric the eel !
    Going back to what Bradster was saying earlier can only agree, the premiership clubs have more money now than ever before and oh boy are they going to town on it, that is everyone but Arsenal of course.
    There’s a very good reason hearse’s don’t come fitted with towbars !!!

  140. Wath says:

    Herb, makes you ask one very poignant question…. Is there actually anyone at the club that’s accountable…. what ever they do who exactly is held accountable…? how many out of the 600 or so staff are held accountable…? seems most are but the most important ones on the playing side are not..!

  141. Wath says:

    Micko, you reckon Akpom will even last til next summer…?

    Wouldn’t surprise me if he gets loaned out before the end of the month…!

  142. Herb's Army says:

    I can’t identify what Arsenal are anymore Wath, it is heart-breaking what these mercenaries are doing to our club whilst lining their pockets. I despise every one of them.

  143. frednerk says:

    It’s like everyone knows whats wrong
    at The arsenal.
    It’s bad enough when the the mother-in-law
    turns up and starts asking/
    have you signed any new player’s yet.

  144. Wath says:

    Herb you just said the word I used this evening to a mate of mine, He was going on about lack of ambition and signings and the lack of footballing ppl at the club but said he can’t bring himself to moan about Wenger as he says he gave him so much pleasure in those first ten years…. I said to him that I now despise the man and cannot believe after what he brought to the club i am saying that…! The arrogance of his comments says everything i need to know about how he see’s things in “his” world. It’s pathetic that it’s come to this but that’s how i now feel and i know I am not alone, I won’t ever insult the man in public although with his mutterings and ramblings that’s becoming harder and harder as well so hence i say very little these days but silence over the situation won’t cure it or get rid of the problem so what do we do about it. I think things are coming to a head… I think once we know exactly where we stand on Sep 1st with the squad and after another game or two the fans will know exactly how the seasons going to pan out and then I think if it’s as bad as we think it may be the shit going to hit the fan.

  145. Wath says:

    Fred, don’t let her in and tell her apparently they’ve signed two new secretary’s so all is well..! 602 staff..!

  146. Micko says:

    I only come over for Christmas and funerals now Wath, been over 3 times this year, the older generation are being swept away !

  147. Micko says:

    Tell me about it, my cousin was buried on St Patricks Day, he was only 40 !

    Brazil vs Germany…..penalty shoot out now , surely a gimme for Germany.

  148. Wavy says:

    Turgid, turgid, turgid,………..turd…….oops…….the truth will out……..Wenger out.

    We need a new broom and we need one now, not at the end of this year’s experimentation cycle.

  149. allezkev says:

    Saw MotD, it sounded boring on the radio and it was, even the highlights on TV were boring.
    Ok, the highlights were brief, but was Alexis playing because his name wasn’t mentioned.
    Walcott did virtually nothing and Oxlade-Chamberlain was his usual self, a couple of runs and no end product…

    Drop points at Vicarage Road and the atmosphere at the Emirates for the Southampton game will be evil.
    God help Wenger if we lose at Watford…

    Night All

  150. Obi says:

    TS @8:54 you are o on point re AS17. Beside the points you made, he was most successful for Arsenal when Ozil was injured and he played in the hole. Even with Chile he plays off Vargas a lot with Diaz and Aranguiz (one of the best) serving him. If you notice most of the time he’s beefing with Vidal because Vidal pushes him out of the hole. The point is AS is not striker on the second thought he’s not even a winger. But he a football player which is the reason AW is comparing him with Suarez but Suarez is not used as a lone striker and never has been which make AW logic very flaw. Especially playing AS17 as a lone striker in EPL is crazy.

  151. ScottfromOz says:

    A mate just made a brilliant point-one I never thought of, and I doubt many have-especially the club.
    This lack of spending and success at the highest level is going to have an adverse effect down the track, as we are running the rick of losing the next generation supporters-the kids and early teens.

  152. ScottfromOz says:

    BT, has it ever actually been stated???
    I’ve never seen it anywhere, let alone here, but maybe it’s not.

  153. Herb's Army says:

    Good point, Scott, the biggest, most successful brands attract the most support, whether that be through commercial deals, or the next generation of young supporters. The more Arsenal alienate themselves from their current fan-base, the stronger the disillusion will grow and their passion will die, meaning it won’t be passed down through the family as it once was.
    Arsenal’s low-risk strategy is a huge gamble in terms of the club’s relevance in the coming years, and at this moment in time it looks stale, unimaginative, uninspiring, and unintelligent.

  154. ScottfromOz says:

    Herb, what it is, Is bloody boring, and uninspiring.
    I had less excitement in the lead up this season and I dare say the massive majority of fans are the same.
    Very sad, to be honest.

  155. Herb's Army says:

    I can understand your excitement at watching Arsenal, but that game mirrors everything Arsenal have become under Wenger.
    Crystal Palace, who have never won a major trophy in their history, have out-spent Arsenal this summer. They’ve mostly been a Championship (Division 2) outfit, and suddenly they’re showing more ambition than Arsenal?
    Karren Brady on Football Focus said today West Ham’s ambition in the next 10 years is to win the title. Yes it’s a dream, but it’s been a long time since we heard anything like that from the Arsenal hierarchy.
    Wenger must be incredibly thick-skinned and greedy to stay in a place where he knows he’s not wanted.

  156. ScottfromOz says:

    Herb, is been on the Away Boys river cruise that morning, had 10 pints and a few more at the ground lol
    Still, I’ll never, ever watch another game of football where a side has 8 shots and scores 6.
    It was incredible.
    Even the Chave fans I spoke to after the game hated the fact the stadium was full of tourists, so it’s not just our club.
    As a tourist, I’m glad I could get tickets but at the same time, plenty seemed to be there simply because they were on a holiday in England , so it’s the done thing.
    I did see things from a totally different perspective…
    Wenger must leave at seasons ends.
    He has to.

  157. pat_97 says:

    Are we seeing the latter days of the end of Sanchez, is he,s mind set on a Juventus move, is he,s current lack of heart down to the fact he has had to participate in summer tournament football for the last few years and is just tired, or is it just AW not having the gumtion to know he is not a lone striker. Imo, there is something not right with Alexis.
    I definitely think the Juventus story has legs.

  158. ScottfromOz says:

    I wonder what promises Sanchez and Ozil were made, if any, on the clubs future transfer darlings.

  159. frednerk says:

    Very good performance scott..Considering
    The negitvity
    I thought the young lad played well(Holding)
    The Kosser had a good game..
    The Coc… I thought had a great game.
    but I would have taken him off.
    Tackless again from Arsene
    2 wide players and a midget
    against two man mountains

  160. BT62 Gooner says:

    Scott, never seen so many kids wearing Chav shirts etc, is that such a surprise, TV idolizes success and so do kids hardly much of a surprise…

  161. pat_97 says:

    Scott, we or I for that matter, might not of got off on the right foot, your comments are valued on this site I do admit, and it is good to have an alternative view, and stand by them, which you do.
    So peace my man, continue doing what or saying what you do best….

  162. Obi says:

    Re Scott @ 1:21am, your/ your mate point is the underlined idea of NBA marketing in the US. They market to 8 to 14 year olds because 1- they believe they are the next generation of players, so they must keep them away from baseball and football and 2 – they are the ones who buy the jersey and sneakers. More over according to them they rather promote small skilled players 6’3″ and under (S. Curry) rather say bigger players (L. James) because the little kids can identify with smaller players more. I used to force my 11 year old daughter to watch Arsenal games, last year she started being less enthusiastic when I asked her she said, “they are not any good, they keep losing”. Needless to say I am hoping for a boy now…lol. Many of us are Arsenal fans because as kids someone, father, uncle, mother etc got us into it. Judging from many of our comments here even long time die hards are less enthusiastic, on that note how do you bring the kid along, especially if this keeps on for another 3 years under AW.

  163. scottfromoz says:

    All good, Pat.
    We all have our moments-me, more than others, and I appreciate your comments. 🙂
    Obi, you must divorce your daughter Hahahaha.
    My son just lives for football, so he’s a brainwashed Gooner, through and through….poor little Bugger!!
    Anyway, on a happy note, the leaves side I coach today made the semi finals.
    Not bad considering our first 3 games of the season resulted in 7-1, 5-0 and 5-1 losses, so I’m pretty chuffed at present!

  164. scottfromoz says:

    Obi, to touch a bit more on your comments, let’s face it, most kids just love winners.
    The amount of Real and Barca kits I see here where weekend is phenomenal.
    Now kids are seeing more European football here, those shirts even outweigh the Utd kits nowadays.
    I would never have believed that possible.

  165. scottfromoz says:

    Herb, I wonder if they’ll leave though if Arsene goes?
    Interesting times ahead, as always.
    Fred, let’s hope Holding improves because he may be our second CB all season 🙂

  166. Lee says:

    I reckon Arsenal signed Clattenburg before the Leicester game, they could of had two penalties and Coquelin could easily of been sent off….

    Wenger saying that supporters are disappointed that holding didn’t cost £55m…..why open your fucking mouth? Try concentrating on the job in hand ie making us competitive once again!

    What a tool he has become!

    Morning all btw.

  167. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. I am finding Arsene’s press conferences increasingly embarrassing these days. I know the press are hammering him over the whole transfer thing but some of the stuff he is coming out with is cringeworthy. I can’t recall a single manager ever before having to deal with some of the gormless questions he is being asked.

  168. Malaga gooner says:

    Morning all

    5 points behind the pl leaders after 2 games

    Never mind….. At least we have mental strength

  169. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all !

    What tool is he Lee ?………………………I think he is a screwdriver as I feel like he is screwing us fans !.

    Off for 8 mile run and I expect to come back and a signing is revealed !……………….think pozidrive Arsene !.

  170. rico says:

    Morning Adam.

    The difficult questions he gets asked I can understand and other managers at the so called top clubs don’t get asked the same because their squads aren’t as unbalanced as ours and so lacking in defence and attack. I’m sure if he’d have signed a top striker, defender and a winger by now, those questioned wouldn’t be asked of him.

  171. allezkev says:

    After the match, the Frenchman made a passionate defence of the accusation he is reluctant to spend and promised he would spend astonishing amounts on the right player.

    “Why do you say I am reluctant? I don’t understand that,” said Wenger. “ If we find players who can strengthen our team we are not reluctant. I would spend £300m if I find the right player and I have £300m.”

    He could not hide his disappointment to be thrown questions about finance and transfers in the immediate aftermath of an intense match with quite a lot on the line, even at this early stage of the campaign.

    Amy Lawrence, Guardian.

    Wenger really must be deluded if he has no conception of the fans’ disillusionment, but worryingly I don’t think he really can grasp how his prestige has virtually disappeared among the vast majority of Arsenal fans…
    It’s got nothing to do with those idiots in the media who these days tend to follow the debate rather than instigate it, but everything to do with what we see on the field…

  172. Adam says:

    Rico. Whatever the reasons and regardless of how justified one may feel the questioning is, I still find the whole thing uncomfortable and demeaning for the club and of course, him. I understand that, in many ways, he has bought it on himself though. The squad is certainly unbalanced and he has seemingly become the master of prevarication.

  173. allezkev says:

    The last big of the above, was me… ?
    Just in case…

    Morning All
    Morning Adam, Rico…

    I saw MotD and Arsenal were truly punch less…
    It’s shambolic, 5 points behind Guardiola, Mourinho and Conte already, with no obvious prospect of making that gap up…

    So 2 games into the season, is it already over for us..?

  174. rico says:

    Adam, yes, everything he get’s asked is all down to his him. I actually don’t feel sorry for him at all these days…

    Morning Kev,

    New post up now…

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