Morning all.
We need a winger don’t we? One with experience who can play left or right? One who pops up with a few goals each season because goals win games and we don’t score enough.
We create chances that’s for sure but having a player who gets to the right place at the right time like Bobby and Freddie used to is a thing of the past…. Or maybe you disagree…
We seem to have a good relationship with Barcelona, especially if the stories about Liverpool offering more for Alexis than Arsenal did but the Spanish club ignored that and sold to us. And considering how many players they have nabbed off of us over the years they and Arsenal must get on quite well. I’m sure the Barca hierarchy have gotten over Alex Song by now….
Which brings me to Pedro, could he be heading to The Emirates to join his old mate?
Last summer, many thought Alexis Sanchez was heading to Anfield, Steven Gerrard certainly did as did Phil Tompson, he even talked on Sky Sports about how great a signing the player was going to be but little did he know, Arsene Wenger was already onto the case and the only club Alexis wanted to play for was Arsenal.
Now it’s Pedro and everyone thinks he’s heading off to Man Utd but has Arsene Wenger worked his magic again and got in there first? He’d certainly fit in well with the way we play and I’m sure he’d love to see his old mate again…..
Speculation of course, but that’s the transfer window for you….
Just as the links to Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak are and perhaps any chance we did have of signing him has dampened a bit as he’s suffered a broken rib while playing against Barcelona on Tuesday night, and is now set for a spell on the sidelines. That wouldn’t put me off if I was the Arsenal manager, a broken rib will soon heal. He’ll be back to full fitness in no time..
Another player who Arsenal could potentially to sign is Olympiakos goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez.
The Metro reports that Wenger has made an offer of around £4m for the 29-year-old former Atletico Madrid stopper, who would act as backup to Petr Cech.
If true, that could spell the end of David Ospina’s career with us unless the manager wants three keepers…
Jack’s back in training according to Arsene Wenger but not fit to play, neither is Danny Welbeck who faces another few weeks out yet…
That’s enough gossip and speculation for one day…
TGIF – soon be match day, although I’m not sure that’s something to look forward to…
If anyone is feeling dejected after last weekend, listen to Ian Holloway talking about Arsenal on SS’s…
He’ll cheer you up… 🙂
I like Holloway, not exactly a great manager.
Why should Wenger look for a goalkeeper when Ospina is there? that is pure rubbish. Wenger should go for the required players, not for a keeper. Arsenal need a top striker and a top defensive midfielder.
Hi Rico, thanks, if we wanted a left winger Antoine Griezmann was there for the taking last season from Sociadad after scoring 16 from 31 starts. But he went to Atletico without a challenge from Arsenal and last season netted 22 from 29 starts. Who needs a striker when your wingers score like that! Imagine him and Alexis both belting in that number of goals!
Alas, I dont see Pedro being the answer a good player in an brilliant team at Barca, but not one who will make a difference at Arsenal for the money he would cost. Besides, Welbeck can already play that same role as Pedro and is no worse a player.
I love him Lee, always makes me smile…
if we want a winger who arrives in scoring positions on a regular basis then put Walcott back on the win, he gives us goals and assists on a regular basis there, unlike Ox, who as far as I can see, is at this time just a hard runner with little end product
Delford, all poppycock no doubt..
Hi Roger, Griezmann would have been a great signing.. I can see what you are saying about Pedro but he scores goals, unlike Danny last season… lol
James Olley ✔@JamesOlley
Q Any foundation in reports you are interested in Krychowiak? Wenger: “No.” Also expects Flamini to stay.
I know what you mean about Danny and the goals. Hope he can prove himself this season because he will be given the chance and god knows we need the goals. Because he will be given the chance we wont sign another winger this summer.
Harsh on OC I think, he’s one of a few who isn’t afraid to run and defences and shoot…
Good one Eduardo. Actually one thing I like about Wenger (which drives some fans mad) is that it is extremely rare for him to speak badly of an individual Arsenal player, or suggest they are on their way out, or not to get another contract etc. He keeps it positive publicly, as who knows when you might need the player again or what will happen.
Im sure he would like to release Flam, but just in case keeps it positive. For example, he suggested last season Diaby would get a new contract if he could prove his fitness (some fans took this comment way too seriously). Remember when Bendtner came back for a few games including a goal against Hull?
So Wenger is doing the right think publicly while playing chess behind the scenes. Anything else he says will just go through the tabloid machines and pump out pink slime.
Flamini should not be at Arsenal any more….
He needs to get fit, stay fit and really challenge Ollie and TW for that centre spot…
I don’t think he will be Lee, we all know AW well enough to know that he’s the best person to big up a player before he goes out the door…
Just like him saying no to Krychowiak – that could very well be a yes… 😉
but his shooting is not getting goals, he is great at taking on players, but there just is not enough end product. People said he was great v West Ham, but despite going on several great runs he actually did not create a clear cut chance, the nearest was the cross (that for me was way over hit, and was actually meant for Giroud in the middle) that went to Cazorla on other end of the area and he lobbed the ball onto the net.
When Ox scores it is usually a power strike, so remains in peoples memory longer, and so gives many this idea that he scores more often than he actually does, of course he has the potential to really come good in the goals and assists stakes, and I’m confident he will, but its not there yet, he is way behind Walcott for both at this time, but then why wouldn’t he as he is a lot younger.
Well I’m not going bash him, he’s one of the most exciting younger players we have imo….
this might explain why it is taking Welbeck so long to get over a “bruised bone in his knee”, (it says all going well it normally takes 2 or 3 months, and that a bruised bone is in fact a fracture in the inner lair of the bone.
http://healingfeet.com/foot-pain/bone-bruise-recovery-time
What does that mean Lee? Fairness to Arsenal players who signed a contract. They stay until sold or the contract runs down. Do you mean he should pack his bags, or get forced out?
rico I’m not basing OX, just saying at this time he does not have end product, but the talent is there for all to see, and that for me it is only a matter of time before he adds goals and assists to his game, but at the moment if we want goals and assist from a wide man then Walcott should be in the team ahead of OX
Morning all..great read. I agree with rogerbij 10:19
Force him out Roger… 🙂
I think OC will add a lot more goals this season and I’m not forgetting how long he was missing through injury for…
Ibrahim P
Arsenal don’t need a goalkeeper while Ospina is available. Arsenal needs a top striker and a holding midfield player like Grzegorz krychowiak if we are serious to compete for the title race.Let us go for these players now.
Good post Rico… Kev – Fantastic stuff yesterday…
There are certain things which I don’t understand with respect to certain players and AW’s plan for them…
1. Why is Gabriel not provided with more playing time and tested?
2. What is Campbell’s position in our team?
3. Why do we have Arteta and Flamini – A back up and a back up to back up?
Morning bondex, hes good isnt he.
Rico, heart of stone! Remember my article ? Flamini and Ozil come as a package. Flamzil 😉 At least until someone buys Ozil that puppy.
Thanks Bondex, just a Friday gossip lazy day… 😉
Thanks Madhav.
1) No idea
2) I think he’s off
3) See answer 1..
🙂
Welcome Ibrahim..
Roger, he already has a puppy… lol
Morning all.
Two things about Ox. Keep him out of the middle and he’s no right back.
As the days pass I am getting that familiar old feeling re transfers. Unless a golden player is going to leap out of the woodwork I really have no idea what is happening at the club. One thing is for certain though. Fail to win the PL or the CL and what excuses could there possibly be this time around?
Morning All
Morning Rico
Thanks Madhav…
Gabriel will get his chance mate, he’s a really impressive, no nonsense defender
Couldn’t agree more re OC Adam…
Madhav, imo, Campbell will be sold in the next few days or so…
Flamini?
No sure…
What part of India do you come from?
Ox is a CM, ask his dad 🙂
Trouble is, he, himself believes it.
Keep him wide where he can do damage.
Gabriel is my tip for his seasons smokey….I reckon he will shine when given a chance.
Adam, with those sentiments in mind, if Arsenal finish, say 2nd or 3rd.
Get to the 2nd knockout stage of the CL.
And win a cup, either League or FA…
Would you see that kind of season as a success or failure?
Just asking? 🙂
Morning Kev…
I see the media have tried to get AW to gatecrash the spat going on at Chelsea… Love his reply:
“You know you speak about that story at Chelsea. I have not followed that – as you know I do not have great interest about what is going on at Chelsea.”
I like the look of Gabriel too Scott, don’t think it’ll be too long before he gets a game or two…
Or 24 🙂 🙂
Brick lane?
Facially Rico??? Ah playing wise you mean! 🙂
No Lee, facially…. 😉
Kev. I say we have the most experienced manager in the league with perhaps the most settled squad and training facilities and general back-up (fitness and medical) equal to any club. We have enough money to buy the best players in one, two or three critical areas. We have a tremendous stadium which, together with TV monies, is providing an awesome revenue stream. We have absolutely everything required to win the PL and/or the CL. If, after the barren years, Arsene can’t (or won’t) do it this season, for whatever reason, then I would say it is a failure. There will be a myriad of excuses but we have had those for years now.
But that’s just me. 🙂
Ok mate, fair comment…
Adam, there will be no excuses………there can’t be.
Will we need any excuses?
Not if he buys the required players 🙂
Scott. I tend to agree but winning something big is very difficult. Why didn’t we win the PL last season or the season before?
The thing is, Arsenal have had a poor record in the CL/EC going back to Bertie Mee and George Graham, so if we fail again, as all the EPL clubs did last season and the season before in the CL, then I won’t be surprised…
Mourinho leaves Wenger standing when it comes to tactics and he hasn’t won it whilst working in England.
Wenger failing in the CL, is par for the course imo.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Chelsea, PSG, AC Milan, Juve, are streets ahead of Arsenal/Arsene when it comes to European football, ffs so are Monaco…
So Arsenal failing in the CL isn’t a disappointment to me.
It’s normal…
Love Wengers Chelsea comments!
Fair call Adam – winning the PL is no easy task, but I want a real crack at it year on year on year. Not some half baked attempt for some of the season. Agree no excuses not to buy the players we need. I promise now that this is the last day I will mention schneiderlin. *cough*
Side note, spending money isnt everything, just ask Utd lately.
Because we didn’t buy the required players, Adam 🙂
We improved, but not enough.
I had no real issue as Wenger has always said, and I agree, that bringing in too many new players is counter productive.
He’s strengthened slowly, and now IS the time.
We’ve brought one in, and we all agree only two more really are required.
Last year it was 4-5 according to most.
If Arsenal win their CL Group, something they’ve patently failed to do in recent times, then that is progress.
If Arsenal get to the 2nd Knockout Stage, then that is even more progress.
If Arsenal get to the Q/F, then maybe the club should organise an open-top bus parade, because with our record, that’ll be fcuking unbelievable…
CL, blaaaah.
It lost its sheen for me when Chelksi won yet ran 6th in the PL.
It’s a lottery.
PL all day long for me.
I agree with that Scott but to move forward surely you have to learn the lessons of the past. Arsene is highly intelligent so I wonder what his analysis is. Injuries, luck, referees? I could say we haven’t won because we weren’t good enough and that’s a simple but true statement. One might also look at who did win during the past several years and try to analyse why. City and Chelsea have a high turnover of players and yet they won. Man Utd had the Fergie factor. On the other hand Liverpool and Spurs tried big changes and they didn’t. I agree with you that we don’t need a big influx of players but we do need some. I probably think we need more than some others do but the more the fans ask the less they are likely to get perhaps. Arsene seems entirely resistive to any external input.
Out on the grass we just aren’t equipped to go the distance it seems.
Roberto is horrible!!!!
Was the worst GK in Portugal in last 20 years!
Question for him at any Benfica fan and answer you !
rico, I told you two days ago, we will need another GK….
Pedro is ok for us. Put this is mind: he is no space in Barcelona because Suarez make the some role. Two years ago, we tried Suarez. Probably will be the solution. Pedro has almost the some qualities and I’m quite sure will be a big surprise for the PL.
Wihthout Schnederling, Sevilha midfield is a good choose but he must be fit
PL for me this season, get that off our back…
You did JM, let’s hope it’s not Roberto then from what you have said…
Adam, I guess if we brought in 3-4 absolute top grade players, we could almost be a good thing of winning the PL, but none of us could dare dream that Wenger would do that, so perhaps we are prepared to settle for the possible…two new guys, and be ultra competitive.
Your right adam,
Listen to Pardew going on about Cabye
and that wenger wanted to sign him a couple
of seasons ago.
We then get wenger denying all
knowledge of any interest.
I know its a cover up..But he
should at least have the decency to
treet us fans with a bit more respect.
Anyone who has a clue about the game and
even the new breed of fans with the
play station game mentality know
what we need.
Scott. I guess you’re right but if you live your professional or personal life by a set of never changing rules that are set in stone then I say you could be destined to make the same mistakes over and over. I think you must be constantly evolving and reinventing yourself and your team. Arsene’s job is to win football matches and regardless of the affection and respect we might have for him, that’s what he has to do. For me, he simply has to win the PL. He’s had plenty of practice and experience. It really is time to deliver. I know it’s hard but he has to show he is the man to deliver.
Hiya Fred.
AW is daft there Fred because Pardew would know of his interest, he was his manager at the time for goodness sake…
Made me chuckle on the previous thread Fred…….. I should be a poet!
Brudder did you have a butcher’s at that Pete Tong thing at the RAH?
You’ve lost me Brudder. 🙂
Adam, I can’t disagree at all.
As we discussed the other day, Wenger puts his ideals above all else, and that shows his inflexibility.
Just a small tweak here and there would make all the difference, and we all know it.
There is still time, this TW.
Can he allay our fears!
Has he got some tricks up his sleeve?
Let’s all hope so.
That why a lot us get the pins out
and prod rico.
I spend most of my pub get
togethers with my mates defending
wenger,then he go’s and comes out
with another load of Macarony.
Hi adam.
Up your way last weekend Lee
Colchester/Blackpool game,nice little ground.
Absolutely right Fred, I think the old boy sometimes forgets what he’s done and said as all too often he contradicts himself and makes himself look daft imo…
He needs Ts by his side to remind what he said four years ago….
Rico, I think he says what he wants people to hear sometimes, though 🙂
I’m off to bed.
I have the job of “football dad” tomorrow……that’ll be a nice change from working!
Night all.
I can’t think of anything he’s said that I’ve wanted to hear Scott…. 😉
Night Scott….
GM all, good post rico.
Alexis
Ozil
Cech
Santi
They are all opportunist signings, AW is scared of his own shadow when it comes to transfers. He will spend if any big name player comes available even if its not a player that will fill the positions that needs strengthening. The board knows the squad is good enough to come 4th so there is no urgency to buy. FCB won the treble last year and have a transfer ban and already spend more than Arsenal. Our net spend this season is approximately 7 mil, we are acting like Norwich City.
Rico, Pedro would improve our 1st 11, he would be a massive signing.
Good Afternoon Lovelies and hunkies.
Pedro would be a great signing Rico. Are we going to get him?? I doubt. but if he comes then he is welcome. And if he comes then it means no forward, since it will be Ollie and Theo up front.
But we still need cover in midfield…..esp if Flamini goes, TR07 is injured while Arteta is slow. an injury to anyone and we are up shit creek doubling with pain rocking in a corner.
Nice post Lady……nicer if we sign anyone of the above mentioned players…..Pedro and Krychowiak.
Getting Married Jack, age 90, and Gill, age 89,are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding and on the way they pass a chemist shop and Jack suggests they go in.
Jack addresses the man behind the counter:
“Are you the owner?”
The pharmacist answers, “Yes.”
Jack: “We’re about to get married.
Do you sell heart medication?”
Pharmacist: “Of course we do.”
Jack: “How about medicine for circulation?”
Pharmacist: “All kinds”
Jack: “Medicine for rheumatism?”
Pharmacist: “Definitely.”
Jack: “How about suppositories?”
Pharmacist: “Yes”
Jack: “Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s?”
Pharmacist: “Yes, a large variety. The works.”
Jack: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills, antidotes for Parkinson’s disease?”
Pharmacist: “Absolutely.”
Jack: “Everything for heartburn and indigestion?”
Pharmacist: “We do…”
Jack: “You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?”
Pharmacist: “All speeds and sizes.”
Jack: “Adult incontinence pants?”
Pharmacist: “Yes.”
Jack: “Then we’d like to use this store for our wedding presents list…”
Brudder it’s on the previous thread, it’s an orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall playing some house tracks selected by Pete Tong. Really different but good…….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b063s4gx/bbc-proms-2015-season-radio-1-ibiza-prom
It’s all a case of economics…
ManUre have take a massive hig on Di Maria, the Spuds wasted all the money they earned from selling Modric and Bale, Liverpool have won a game and all the Proffessional Scousers in the media have a hard on, but they’ll flop as usual despite spending a fortune. Man City did bugger all last season despite spending as much on players as Third World debt. Chelsea won the EPL but were total shit in Europe, and will probably have a mate this season. Van Gaal despite spending a fortune is turning out a team of robots.
Yeah, Arsenal could spend £30/£40/£50/£100 million on players. But there’s no guarentee that we’ll win the EPL, CL or even the Inter-Toto Cup…
I want to see Arsenal go out and buy big players, only an idiot wouldn’t want to see that, but I can understand why it doesn’t always happen like we’d like it…
It shall check it out Brudder. 🙂
Thanks Gdna.
Have to disagree re the signings, apart from Ozil who was a last minute ‘please fans’ signing imo..
The others, especially Cech and Alexis were planned very early in the year they were signed….
Devil, Jack didn’t include Viagra, his shooting skills must still be up to the mark, then? Good joke though.
‘Jack’ ? He wasn’t supposed to be our injured midfielder, was he, in 65 years time or maybe next year?
The boy from Seville, who is a bit injured, surely that won’t prevent Wenger from buying him, will it. He likes them injured eg the Swede who played one or two games for us! Kallstrom it was, well we’ll never know how good he could have been, but one thing is for sure he never upset the rest of the squad did he? They never saw him much as he spent most of his time in sick bay supporting Diaby and playing snap!
Happy days.
Thanks Devil, that was in my thoughts too, if by some miracle Pedro is on the agenda, bang goes the striker many fans want….
I really wouldn’t want Arsenal to go and spend £100-£150 million on big names Kev, the day the club does that it’s sold it’s soul imo and gone against everything most of us and the club have been saying about the likes of City, Utd, Chelsea etc etc..
I honestly believe just two top quality players would get us the league. And if Krychowiak really does have a £22m buy out clause and Pedro around £30m then, that’s good value for money imo…
If he did sign Pedro then where would Ox or Theo play?
Right back and striker….
Adam……..Theo would share duties with Ollie up front while the OX, Sanchez, PEdro and Welbeck can rotate on the wings, that makes it two players for every position.
AW can rotate wisely then.
Its midfield we need strengtheneing. Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Aaron and Jack are the five top players. I refuse to include Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini even though the first two are favourites of mine.
We need another body in midfield.
That same question could be asked in all positions Adam…
Just those two Lee or as well as a DM?
As long as he wins something big then I couldn’t care one way or the other. But the idea of Theo and Giroud sharing the strikers role, like they did last Sunday, is not a situation I personally relish.
I would veto Pedro 😉 Seriously, he is small and lightweight, 28yo, would cost a decent chunk, is statistically no better at all than others already in the team over several seasons, and last year he goal scoring was no better than Welbeck whilst playing for beautiful Barca. http://www.whoscored.com/Players/44055/
He wouldnt add an x-factor and there would go money better spent on a DM or striker.
Personally against.
Devil, I think Walcott is going to be played as striker a lot this season..
Rico. I think you might be right.
Agree Rico, and Im not yet decided if Walcott upfront a lot worries or excites me. ‘Worriedly excited’ doesnt work.
Afternoon all,
Good read Rico
Interesting comments
Aw fibbing again?… 🙂
Bending the truth…..
Rico,
Chec – didn’t want to leave London
Alexis – only choice was Liverpool and AFC
Santi – Malaga was short on cash
Ozil – was a overpriced buy because of the Villa result/offloaded by Real
All those signing/players fell in our laps, none was any planned purchase.
What happened to Rabiot?
Roger, Isn’t Pedro is a better player than Ox, Theo and DW?
If AW was ruthless enough only 1 of DW or TW would still be at the club and a player like Pedro would come in.
GDNA. I hear you but Pedro has existed within the Barca bubble for years. Who knows if he could do it? But I guess every new player comes with a risk performance-wise.
Thanks Ts..
Roger, if he gets a run at CF, I honestly believe he’ll get plenty of goals. I could of course be smoking something and it’s an absolute disaster… 😉
Adam, call me a cynic but I bet that came up during contract talks…
Gdna, I’m afraid you are wrong re Alexis, I know you weren’t on here last year but it was made known that a small man was after Alexis but he only wanted to come to Arsenal…
Re Santi, think you are being harsh on Arsenal…
Yes, Cech made it clear he preferred to stay in London, but the player himself that he spoke to AW as soon as the season ended and he made his mind up then…
I am with Thierry on Theo and Giroud Rico.
I know Adam. I’m not overly keen on Ollie either but Theo I stand by until he gets a few games and fluffs his striker lines… I hope he starts there Sunday…
And I’m with you Brudder…. the indoctrination process is almost complete, we are slowly getting our expectations lowered by Arsene/Arsenal!
Rico, FCB had the best offer for Alexis from Liverpool, plus he could have been part of LS deal, AFC didn’t have to do much to convince a player to choose London over Liverpool.
Adam, I agree re Pedro, but I think the PL is overrated in terms of quality, Pedro is a good footballer who has been good for the best club team in the world, its hard to think he wouldn’t cut it in PL, although nothing is guaranteed. Cesc former Arsenal Captain failed at FCB and he is the 1 of best MF currently in the PL.
That’s not Henry… 😉
Off out for a walk so chat later….
So Viera joined us 19yrs ago today for £3.5m, PLEASE Wenger replicate this type of signing! Oh to have a P.Vesque player in the team!!!
GDNA. I tend to agree. I watched him closely as he ran the line when Barca came to the Emirates several years ago now. He was right in front of us and his movement and control, especially with give and go situations, was fascinating.
I also agree that the EPL is overrated as far as quality is concerned.
lee if Wenger bought a 20 year old midfielder who had only managed 1 game for AC Milan our fan base would go into meltdown.
According to BBC Nacho Monreal has not been offered a new contract and is in his final year. Presumably because one of our loanees will fill his space! Or they’re cutting the wage base even further! Will he be gone before the transfer deadline closes? I think he might be!
Agreed Eduardo
Dna- Sanchez would have joined us a year before. it was the chance of the suarez deal that made us hesitate as usual…
Hi GDNA, you asked my thoughts on Pedro is a better player than Ox, Theo and DW?
I think there is not much in it, certainly not statistically. And my bet would be that like DiMaria hes lightweight and would get a few kicks and not be the player one might hope for. Im just saying that for the money he would cost he wouldnt add much to the team vs existing options. Thats all.
Also the point is not which is a better quality league, but the charachteristics of that league. The PL is more competitive throughout, whereas La Liga has some fantastically rich teams and there is a gulf in quality between top and bottom – more so than the PL. Also PL is a bit more physically challenging . The characteristics of different leagues suit some players more than others, thats all. (perhaps why so few English players succeed in Spain lately).
rico
AUGUST 14, 2015 AT 2:18PM
I really wouldn’t want Arsenal to go and spend £100-£150 million on big names Kev, the day the club does that it’s sold it’s soul imo and gone against everything most of us and the club have been saying about the likes of City, Utd, Chelsea etc etc..
Arsenal and Wenger have never complained about clubs spending money generated by the club themselves, So if AFC spend £100M or £150M on players, as long at its self generated money then I don’t see any problem in it. What the complaint has been is that the likes of city and cfc have been built on money pumped in by a sugar daddy and also that clubs put themselves into massive debt buying players.
Hilarious vid Lee 🙂
on Cabaye, I understood all Wenger done today was say that AFC did not go for him this summer, I did not see him deny we wanted him when he was at Newcastle.
fred have you a link to Wenger denying being in for Cabaye when at Newcastle, I haven’t come across one today.
Rico I know what your saying about signing two players and don’t disagree…
I always want Arsenal to sign players.
We have Palace (a), Liverpool (h)…
If we win those two then the mood will change, as you know….
Anyway boss, look at the positives…
Arsenal lose and HH is rammo with comments, discussions, debate, argument, hits….
There’s always a silver lining …. 😉
Roger, Isn’t Ozil lightweight as Di Maria? I can also add MU made a mistake selling Di Maria because he was the 1 of their best player. If Ozil was performing like he is at AFC at any of the other 3 big clubs, he would be sold for half his price. Pedro release clause is 21 mil, which imo is value for money for a WC talent. Didn’t DW and CC cost 16 mil each? If Pedro wasn’t a good player there would not be a bidding war in Manchester.
Ts, I have no idea about Alexis joining the year before, the ITK said he put in a low bid for Marco Reus the same year because he was 1st choice to LS, so I’m not sure about your alexis story.
Rick, if you are about, are you going to the U21’s this evening…
I might have gone if you could have paid on the evening but I ain’t piss-balling about booking tickets for the Stiffs…
Fcuking Box Office runs things to suit themselves, they certainly don’t run things for the benefit of the punters…
And why isn’t entry free ffs, don’t those greedy cnuts get enough dough out if the fans as it is?
Evening guys…
Lee, amen to you Paddy comment. I laughed as just read a headline on NN saying Arsenal have been offered Rabiot… I blame you…. 😉
Rick, I saw a short YouTube video on our loanees…
Thought that Maitland-Niles looked very impressive, he has some quality about him that young man…
Toral scored a great goal with his nut, that lad has the scoring touch, no doubt.
Akpom scored a real pearler, swivelled in the box and smashed his shot across the face of the keeper and into the opposite corner of the net…
Great technique…
Rabiot, isn’t his Agent his Mum?
Dna, fair enough.A bid was never made for Rues because he had moved 2 times within a calendar period and so that was impossible for us to make such a bid.
i know everyone is going to say I never said Alexis was prepared to join us before v joined Barca.
We also went in for Di Natali and AS17 again before we tried to go in for Demba Ba…
Di Natali was prepared to join but our bid went in an hour before serie A window shut which was 5 hours before ours…
I think the mistake we make as football fans is assume the big deals are made a month before a player signs.
You will probably again say i did not say we could not get Costa in the January before he joined Chelsea…
I remember you asking me when I will stop making excuses for AW… :-0
5.58 Kev, every cloud eh…. ??
One thing I guess we do know know is they’ll be no more than 3 signings made before the end of the summer as AW has said any more than that can upset the balance.
Although Edurado might tell me I have got that wrong….
….before Gerardo Martino joined Barca. it should read
Shame about Nacho if the stories are true, had hoped he was set to stay a while yet….
Diamanti(spelling) is finally coming to the EPL. He is joining Southampton
I need to ask my spuds neighbour why after 4 years daniel levi has not been able to bring the brazillian over…
Evening Rico and the House .
Interesting team selection for U21
Macey,Moore, Bielick, Pleguezuelo, M Bola, Kamara, Zelalim Sheaf Jeff, Iwobi Mavidii,
Subs Ilieve O’connor Mourgas Eyoma Fortune.
Hi rick, do you think Kamara will be able to get ahead of Bielick this season for the CDM position?
I really wanted to see Kamara and Iwobo this evening but this August rain is …
Thanks Kev…
I’m from South India…. I live in Bangalore…
Evening Rick..
Rico sorry I haven’t contributed much just lately things are not all that great for me.
I do read the posts when ever I am up to it and I will say my cup is half full and I agree with you on signings and Theo
Don’t let them get you down, I think we are going to have a good season in the P/L and academy.
Rick, no need for apologies, we all have a life to live far away from this place…..
I really hope Feeo proves his doubters wrong…..
H/T goal less.
We have dominated the possesion but have failed to hit the net.
Iwobi the standout player so far..
Not surprised to hear that re Iwobi…
Kev I’m afraid that I am not up to it at the moment. What is annoying I am a red member and could get in free of charge , pity we do not live closer.
I have seen both of Akpoms goals and they both look the same.
As for Niles the Ipswich team love him and call him The Rash he is all over them.
I hope Mick keeps playing him on the wing,
Im off guys, you all have a good evening, catch up tomorrow…
Night all…
Morning all.
Night shift is in 🙂
Opportunistic signings?
Heard it all now.
Seriously, I’d suggest that word is relevant in 99% of transfers.
Taking advantage of a player who wants more money is opportunistic.
Bringing in a player wanting to play for a bigger club is opportunistic.
Signing a player who wants more game time is opportunistic.
No, according to some, Wenger is the only manager who makes these signings Hahahahahaha.
Crock of crap.
Oh and Rico, you were spot on.
One of our fellow members had told us months prior that we were chasing Sanchez, so while it was still opportunistic, it didn’t fall in Wengers lap.
Zelalem nets the winner in the 86th min following very fast move,
I am being told Fulham G/K mom. saved them from big defeatt.
U18’s play tomorrow.
Night All
Night Rico…
Rick, very sorry to hear that things for you are not 100%…
You take care my friend…
Madhav, from Bangalore?
Where they make the torpedoes… 😉
Good to have you on board…
Rick, that was great news re: Maitland-Niles, and Iwobi…
Both could possibly be on the cusp of the 1st team squad in 12 months time…
How did Jeff play?
I like that kid…
Night shift or graveyard shift Scott?
Ath thrashing vermalen and Barcelona. lol
Thanks for update Rick.
Take it easy sir…
Night All
Bilbao are bullying Barca like they are Arsenal-lite.lol
4-0
Oh Yes… From Bangalore, where torpedoes was made once upon a time… 🙂
Good to be on board…
I’m having strange feeling that we might see Iwobi in some of the matches this season itself…
Fingers crossed things improve for you, Rick.
Ginge, don’t ask why, but I woke up early, bright as a button.
Been out now for Seans two games…two wins, two goal assists, he did well.
Now, it’s relaxation time for the rest of the weekend.
Keep your chin up Rick, hope you get better mate!
Rabiot has played 50+ times for PSG I’d rather him play in front of Flamini…. But hey ho!
Morning to the House. Can’t believe how big the next two games are for us already. We have to take maximum points which going on our last performance is very far from certain. I reckon having Alexis back in The starting 11 will be a massive boost, even at 90% capacity he will still give a lot more than most. Wenger and the boys need to get their shit together and fast because that first game performance was unacceptable.
Same old story for us, ‘couple more signings and we’ll be contenders’
Morning Rico and all. Agreed Lewis. Some things never change. 🙂
Rick. All the best mate. Hope you feel better soon.
Morning Scott, Lee, Lewis and all…
I’d rather you ahead of Flamini Lee, and that’s after a HHCC lunch! 😉
Lose tomorrow and the league is Utd’s 😉
ha ha ha Can I guess why you woke up at 4am? 😉 Maybe not. 🙂
morning Rico, Adam, Lewis et al…
agreed rico, Lee needs to dust of the boots and shinnies and do a job for his club.
Morning All….
Morning Adam, Ts and Kev…
Lewis, gets boring after a few years eh…
I see that ManUre scraped another 1-0…
The club hierarchy in my view need to become a bit more flexible with their transfer targets imho..
whether it is a simple question of the club or Aw not wanting to sign or that the club have their target set in stone is a matter for debate…
In my view, the club’s strategy is too inflexible or proactive.
My reason for saying so is that, all our recent acquisitions are players we either wanted before but couldn’t buy for other reasons.
Sc19- could as an example have been bought 2 season prior to joining us. Before he went to malaga we placed a bid, the player chose Malaga because of Pelle’ and that Malaga had come in before him.
Same as Monreal…
Ozil- we had a bid accepted for him before he joined RM; he chose RM because sami was also going there and because at that time the tax system in spain was more lax or higher than the UK…
It could all be conjecture or making excuses for AW or pretending to be itk.. but a few months in Monkton (deliberate typo) thought me a word to a wise is always enough. 😉
Micko if you are aroun I thought this would make you laugh..
https://vine.co/v/ed3EApbMTTM
Wenger says its “more intelligent” to focus on producing a performance than expecting a “miracle” signing.
Rico- Charles Aránguiz has finally joined bayer04 for £9.25m. a shame really unless Kramer. 😉
Tai you must be happy- David Oyelowo British Nigerian Actor will be the first black actor to play 007 James Bond
Tai- voice over btw. 😛
With all the departures from the squad surely we have new recruits planned?
Yes I saw Ts..
You’d like to think so Lee.
Yes Madhav, Iwobi could get a few run-outs in the 1st team this season…
League Cup of course, CL perhaps and the early rounds of the FACup if we get positive home draws against 1st/2nd division teams.
Maybe Colney or Stan Kroenke is practicing austerity forced on Arsenal holdings by Deutsche Bank. 😉
Morning guys.
Have we signed anyone yet?
Kev, Wath do we know if Stan has paid back all the debt?
Stan is a clever man, at least more so than the Glaziers’ or ‘Hicks and Gillette’ PR disaster.
Because he did not load the debt on the club, and fans do not see the interest payments as an expense, then the average fan does not get angry
It appears he kept the debt in a holding company, and the football club is run profitablythen in the future dividends can be paid to the owners – in this case the holding company.
Arsenal have picked up just five points from the last 15 available at the Emirates
But the Gunners have taken 16 of the last 18 on the road…
If only we could replicate our away form
Now now…
Lee Mason will officiate Palace v Arsenal, The Gunners have won eight and lost none of the last 12 PL games with him in charge.
Factor in Atkinson’s record with us when where we had only won 1 in 6 maybe things do follow a trend.
Asier Illarramend – is he any good?
Ginge, I have no idea…
Swiss Ramble is your man for all things financial…
And Lee of course… 🙂
Ginge, we do replicate our away form…every second game 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lol Rico- you said you di dnot rate him.
i rate him. he is not a proper CDM i.e english type but more like Arteta or Alonso
😀 Scott. kev
Nothing at all wrong with an Arteta type DM in my opinion.
Mikel just lacks pace…..everything else is fine, I reckon.
When did I say that Ts?
never Rico. 😉
As you get older you tend to grow more inflexible and this can stray into the realm of ‘miserable git’. The years bring experience but, unless this is accompanied with a willingness to embrace new ways of thinking and the changing times, you can become stale and even resentful. Like Maggie Thatcher did. Looking at Arsene in his press conference yesterday I thought he looked unwell (not for the first time). I sensed an overwhelming intransigence in him. All this “look for the solutions from within” guff we have heard before. It never worked then so why it should now remains a mystery.
I didn’t think so Ts…. 🙂
New post up now..
Morning All,
eduardo I was generalising about wenger mate.
anyway..Are you in Harold Hill.
Leicester today showing how bad a result that was by us Last weekend?