Last summer, as the usual suspects were trying their best to defend Arsene Wenger’s policy in the transfer window and suitability as our manager, the noisy neighbours were busy signing any 2 legged footballers Franco Baldini could get his hands.
According to the know-it- all media back then, Arsenal needed to follow their path and appoint ourselves a Director of football. This was the same Spurs who had signed a feeder club agreement with Real and were being written an IOU in exchange for Bale.
Meanwhile, the media darlings kept reminding us clueless AFC fans that finishing 3rd or 4th in the previous eight seasons was a total failure. But those same folks were insisting that the only way Spurs or Liverpool could guarantee finishing above us and get the coveted 4th place was for them to splash £80 million on players without any prior premiership experience and for them!
This summer, after the early signings of two very effective players, most fans I know have suddenly developed very high expectations for the upcoming season. Personally, I am a lot more apprehensive about our new campaign.
In my view, whilst most managers try their hardest to compete on all fronts, Arsene as we have come to know him, is always trying his best to assemble the most minimum of squad required. Wenger’s Modus Operandi has always been to have 16 or 17 senior players and fill the gaping holes with potential and inexperienced players when required.
As we will be competing on two fronts per week for the majority of the season and then possibly four fronts come January, I find this a huge gamble considering the magnitude by which the gap between the so called smaller teams has narrowed in recent seasons as compared to the non-Gazprom teams like ours .
Last summer, for some odd reason I strongly believed we would do the double which unfortunately didn’t materialise. Friends kept asking me why I thought that.
My reasons were:
· We had a back 4 that had conceded the least number of goals in 4 years. We had conceded only 37 goals and Per was beginning to find his feet in this league.
· That was the first time under Arsene that we had not lost a major player of our squad.
· King Fergie was no longer around to point to his watch when United were a goal down with 10 minutes to go.
· Statistically Giroud had scored 20 goals in his second season and therefore rumours that Arsene was looking for a more effective no.10.
· Ramsey and Arteta were forming a midfield pivot that in the 12 games of their partnership had become as ruthless at protecting our back 4 as any double pivot in Europe.
· We were beating the teams we were expecting to beat.
· Most importantly Wenger had also rotated his squad far better the season before and I was counting on a repetition of that.
Additionally, Arsene and Arteta our actual captain since his last minute transfer to us in 2011, had on a few occasions during the summer, talked about how it was important to improve our home record after dropping so many points over the last 3 seasons at home whilst we had maintained one of the very best away records in the top 5 leagues in Europe. The rest of the squad had also noted and commented on how it was essential to start the season much better than the last 3 seasons.
In my opinion one thing Arsene was most probably overlooking, was that our home record was firmly linked to his transfer dealings. It was proving a challenge by all accounts for even the reasonable die- hard fans who frequent HH to back a manager who was not matching the ambitions of the fans. It felt to most fans or according to media reports at least, that Wenger had overstayed his welcome.
For most Wenger supporters it was even more imperative that the club and Arsene got off to a very strong start before the annual deadline day ‘supermarket style sweep’ took place. After all that talk about our home form and the scrutiny the club was under, I was extremely saddened when Wenger decided to line-up Wilshere and Ramsey in central midfield against Aston Villa.
After that opening day defeat, some very strong performances against Fulham and Spurs lightened the mood slightly but the icing on the cake was the arrival of Mesut Ozil at least for a brief moment.
As the season unfolded and around the time when we were leading the challenge for the title late November, I became extremely concerned about 2 specific things.
To me it appeared that Wenger was reverting back to his usual stance of over playing his key players whilst other experienced managers were trying to keep their whole squad involved and match sharp. It appeared that he had again, started the season with several players he had no confidence in but had failed to move them on.
However, things were going better than we could have envisaged. For once we did not have our annual November collapse and Giroud, our slow coach who was the media’s punching bag, was coming up with goals when needed. Even our avid protagonists like Owen and Hansen were beginning to consider us as potential challengers even though they couldn’t help themselves proclaiming that we would have won the title by then if the club had coughed up for Suarez.
According to the media, the reason why we were able to finish fourth was because Jose was still getting his feet underneath the table at Chelsea. Not surprising, the same media experts who at the start of the season declared Moyes a better manager than Wenger, quickly backtracked and declared that Moyes after all was not good enough for a top 4 team let along the biggest club in England as they had said all along.
I have even read that had AVB been a better manager and not bought as many players who were not good enough we would have struggled to finish above them. Dear oh dear; the level these experts will stoop to. The pundits had forgotten the fuss they made when Wenger said last August that Spurs buying so many players would destabilise their already good squad.
Looking at the way the league ended, I am compelled to believe that even without buying a fast mobile striker in January we could still have won the title had Arsene managed his squad better. Etched on most fans minds are the humiliating defeats we suffered at Chelsea, City, Liverpool and to a lesser extent Everton. Those fans may not be wrong because we conceded 20 of our 44 goals from those games. That was an astonishing 45% of all the goals we conceded.
Irrespective of those score lines we just lost 3 points each after those defeats but we came back and got respectful draws against Chelsea, Swansea and United after those defeats it may be fair to say that those awful results did more psychological damage to fans than to the players.
Conversely, it could be argued that had we not been thrashed excessively in those games we would have won those aforementioned games.
In my view the league was lost because of our home form. Picking up points at home remains the bread and butter requirement for any team, regardless of the league they are playing in, or the height of their ambitions. But, in order to mount a genuine title challenge, winning on the road is an important factor and one which could prove to be the difference between success and failure.
It is no surprise that City became eventual champions as they had the best home form and held the longest winning run at home in the league.
Comparing us to our rivals, Man City took 52 points, Liverpool 49 points, Chelsea 48 points, and Arsenal 44 points. Had we not lost against Villa, drawn with City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Everton & Swansea we would still have had enough points to run away with the title.
I wish I could put my fingers on why I am less optimistic as compared to last summer considering the business we have done.
Make no mistake I still believe we will win a trophy but I have this deep rooted feeling that we will be sailing close to the wind again than we should be doing based on our purported resources. My fears are further compounded by the fact that our lynchpin in defence over the last 7 years has been allowed to leave whilst our club captain is manoeuvring for a move away from us to a rival and without appearing pessimistic, I believe we will need lady luck on our side for Per to replicate his form from last season.
As we all know winning this league epitomises how a marathon should be won, however, Arsene tends to prepare for the competition like a boxer who decides to throw caution to the wind and go for a few drinks the night before a multi-million dollar PPV fight in Las Vegas.
Maybe I am just bitter because Arsene has not bought Morgan Schneiderlein who in my view has been the best defensive midfielder in the league since Southampton got promoted. But then again am I?
If any of us was in Wenger’s shoes especially at his stage of his career we’d be doing all we can to go all out with a bang. But Wenger is always Wenger. A true gent who has continued to put his reputation on the line for the future of a club he might not have had any affection for 20 years ago.
As sections of fans will point out football is about winning. Looking at it in that light will compel even the most deluded of Wenger’s excuser like myself to admit our squad is still not deep enough for the modern challenges of winning this league even though this squad looks the most balanced it has been since 2005.
We are Arsenal and therefore we can all assume it will be us verses from match day one onwards….
Have a blessed day!
Written by Tsgh
Morning again all..
Good post Ts.
I seriously hope AW isn’t planning to sail close to the wind. He’s signed a new contract and as many of us have said before, he’ll struggle to last one year of that if he does.
But I don’t think he will, just can’t see him being allowed to and all the time IG and Dickie are busy and AW keeps his snozzer out of things, then I honestly believe we’ll see a few more good signings yet….
Totally agree about last years squad consisting of too many players he didn’t have 100% faith in. Had he, he would have used them more often and perhaps we wouldn’t have had quite so many injuries to key players.
But I think his words at the end of the season would suggest he’s learned from that…
Hi All,
Great in depth post Ts. Enjoyable read. There was such a positive vibe when Sanchez came in. The mood has somewhat gone sour as there has been very little movement on such a positive start. Sanchez almost papers over some of the cracks. There are underlying problems that need to be addressed such as a DM like you say. Until this is sorted I can’t fully relax. It’s like Wenger is teasing us….My money is on him going right up until the end of the window before he completes the job and signs a DM
Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, nice post Ginge and its a lovely read but I see you haven’t made up your mind about the upcoming season, what bothers you?
Whattttttt?????? 😕
No Stats today???/ :O
Did you really write that Ginge???? 😮
Good for you mate. It was an in depth analysis. And straight from the heart as well.
But I do not agree with you mate……I go into each year optimistic and hopeful.
I absolutely hate Chelsea but you have to admire the way they have pin pointed their problems and solved them almost immediately. I hoped that’s what Wenger would do this summer. I guess he has to an extent, we just need a couple more pieces to the puzzle
🙂 Devil..
Agree Nickie, still 3/4 pieces missing from our jigsaw…
I’m not sure what’s worse…Never signing Sanchez or signing Sanchez and not backing it up with other quality signings to truly make our squad fearsome and title challengers.
It’s like buying a gun without bullets or a car without an engine
Rico…..do those 3/4 missing pieces from the pizza include a GK??
I hope not.
Good post TS. Leopard and spots maybe. Had hoped it would all change, but really, AW should have done what looks obvious to most of us, sign SCH and Remy, not breaking the bank and do everything he can to keep Verm, like actually rotating the central defenders. We will have two CBs and will bring in someone happy to be a deputy. We haven’t even Sagna to move across. Come on AW, prove latest quotes incorrect and get a 2nd striker, and a quality DMF. Such a stupid waste if we don’t, but it wouldn’t be the first time would it?
Sanchez’ signing is a quality add on to our squad.
However at this moment in time we need numbers for depth.
So in essence we need bodies to rotate/rest those who are playing without diminishing the quality. Yes we do need them.
However, those expecting more marquee signings are only deluding themselves. Because I do not think that AW will bring Benzema or that type of level because he feels that OG12 is important for our system to work.
So A GK and DM are important.
However we do need back ups in other areas….RB, CB.
I believe its just 3 missing pieces that’s all, Chelsea has been the most brilliant club this transfer Window, Arsenal will come good also, the signing of Sanchez very early was to calm the supporters and I am sure more are on the way as the Arsenal just takes their time to sort out things
Nickie. It is easy to solve your problems if you have literally unlimited funds perhaps. The window has not closed yet but, based on experience, I am getting an uncomfortable feeling as to where we might be heading. Wenger, it seems, has always felt a greater degree of loyalty to players than they have for him judging by the way they ship out so quickly when someone offers them a lot more money.
It is easy to make sweeping and non-informed judgements from the outside so I will continue that trend here and suggest that, if Wenger really isn’t going to use Arsenal’s considerable but not bottomless financial resources this season by loading the squad with quality, then he could well find himself under pressure. As I have said before, it is incompatible with good sense to cite the lack of funds available as an excuse for not being able to compete with the sugar daddy clubs if, when you have the money, you don’t use it for precisely the same reason. It is also morally questionable.
If he were to push the boat out on a Vidal or a Pogba it would give the club a boost but might also lift the aspirations and performances of the current incumbents.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I find your article somewhat contradictory. How would you think Arsenal would achieve the double last season with such a small squad? This season wkth Sanchez and Ozil second season, the squad will be stronger. It is clear Wenger will buy a defensive midfielder. He will also buy a centre half. Other transfers will depend on availability and price. I cannot understand supporters being less optimistic thanast season. Providing we do not lose most of our midfield to injury, we should do better.
Nickie, for me it’s signing Sanchez and then it all going quiet.
4 including a keeper and I’d be pretty happy Devil…
DM
Striker
CB
GK
Adam – good news re Prior….
Andrew- I still believe asking for another striker is asking for too much, we don’t need it, you don’t want to conduct business like the dippers all they have bought are average even with Lovren I still say average, GK, DM/CM, CB and that’s a wonderful summer……imo I will feel very bad to see 6 players arriving in one summer 5 is even too much as it is but because of the RB and GK replacements I can live with that……..don’t destabilize a winning team
I’m not suggesting we spend like Chelsea but address the areas we need depth/improvement. 20m on a DM doesn’t break the bank. We all know Arsene likes to keep us sweating and biting our nails until the final day of the TW. I understand what you’re saying though and 100% agree with going all out for a big name to make a statement and raise morale even further.
Dev, why do you feel we need RB cover? I find Jenks and Bellerin suitable cover
Definite Rico. There’s a few that need a kick up the backside in this team. Not sure about the team manager either really. But Cookie probably does need the captaincy burden lifted. I hear Morgan’s name mentioned but..
Agree Rico.
Signing players for them positions and i’d feel great going into the new season
Nickie. Yes, I agree and I know you weren’t suggesting a Chelsea type spree. I doubt anybody wants that.
Not Morgan for me either Adam, I’d go young and for Root with… refreshing new ideas and play with more aggressive tactics…
Nickie….I like Jenks a lot. However he will not improve unless he gets a 5 to 6 games run in the team or goes on loan for a season to a club which play him either at RB or CB.
Bellerin is still immature at the EPL level so he cannot be asked to fill in should it be required.
I might be mistaken though.
Jenks will get some game time this season Devil, no need wasting money on another RB, Rico and Nickie – which striker would you like to have if I were to ask?
Welcome jordangooner, I’ll leave Ts to answer your query…
I also don’t feel we need another Rb, Jenks is fine for me….
Dev…Me too. It’s such a difficult one, stay, deputise and not progress or go out on loan, progress and cause more problems for the club in having to strike a deal for another RB….I never envisioned us trying for 2 Rbs this window lol just a little shock to the system considering the other areas really needed.
That’s a very good question Luznic. I honestly thought Remy might sign and I’d have been ok with that but seems he’s off up north now.
Hi all…
I gather my post is not what was expected from some folks but it was meant as a means to stimulate conversation really…
Great read, Ts.
Your concerns are quite genuine. Wenger, however you love him, has the propensity to gladden and annoy in equal measure. He seems pinned to a horrible character of always leaving his team to one department short of perfect.
Last season, Walcott got injured at a timely period to have grabbed a forward during January window, but he went for Kallstrom instead …
However, I think Wenger has significantly improved his team from last season. I believe that those long injuries to Walcott and Ramsey cost us the title as well as diminished Ozil’s contributions. With a tireless runner and goal scorer like Ramsey in the middle, a tactically sound jet and finisher like Walcott on the right, Ozil would have flourished more in killer passes and assists.
With Sanchez, we have an advanced version of Walcott to replicate the English winger when not available and the added threat of a double turbo when both are fit. Ramsey is always there and can only get better. And of course, Wilshere, who I believe is still a very great talent and will blossom once he has an injury-free season.
Debuchy may not be Sagna but the new buy isn’t a poor imitation either. At 31+ and already two long injuries to his belt, depending on Sagna for a full season was gradually bordering on the risky angle.
Of course, I think Ospina(news are strong he will signing any moment) is an improvement on Fabianski.
Just that DM. Khedira would have been best because he would have replicated Ramsey’s tireless energy in the absence of the Welsh …and comfortably partnered with Rambo to snuff air out of opponents … but just any good DM will do now. Once that is done, we’ll have a significantly improved version of the FA Cup winners.
And for subs, what’s the use of lavishing resources on our youth system if none will eventually make the grades…I’m very worried that only Gibbs and Wilshere represent our products at senior level…if TV stays, Wenger should promote a CB from within as well as find room for Akpom and Afobe. These youngsters can’t grow unless when thrown into the deep end.
Good morning.
Rico. But overloading a young, promising player like Root might well hinder his progress. The captaincy in cricket is, as you know, really intense minute to minute. Then again, perhaps Root does have the required temperament.
Jordan, the reason why I was more optimistic last season was that in the last 12 or so games we played after the BM win in March 2012 we were up there amongst the very best in Europe…
Looking at past history our team has underperformed after either an Euros or WC tournament 2003 and 2005 comes..
There are all just my opinion… it might be BS after all… 😉
Luznic, i’m not sure who i’d have. It’s such a limited market. Who really suits our play that’s out there at the moment? If we are talking competition for Giroud..Cavani if he was 20m would be worth a go. Balotelli for 15m worth a go Even if I don’t really like this players. Hunterlaar knock down price? Muller although he’s recently signed a new contract, great engine and ability.
A player different from Giroud who would be interesting to see in our system is Sturridge.
If we’re talking about back-up to Giroud..
Morata cheaper would have been smart
Remy (dislike him) would have been good for price etc
Jay Rodriguez based on prem experience English
Hernandez – swap deal verm?
Like I say it’s so difficult at the moment which is why I think Wenger is also settled on our striking options
Ts, your post has done just that and thank you for writing it….
Thanks Tai, Dev, AH btw for the kind words…
Nickie, I too thought about Hernandez but then remembered he plays for Mexico and we know what that did to Carlos Vela…
Rodriguez is a good call…
Cheers Rico btw for sprinkling some magic unto it… 😉
Rumours doing the rounds we’re interested in Nastasic
Adam, I think so, he comes across as a light hearted but very competitive and focussed young man. I’m fed up with the old stiffs who captain the country… 😉
My pleasure Ts.. 😉
I saw that one too Nickie, that’s all based on City going for another defender, as far as I could see there is no substance to the story…
Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Ginge – Another great thought provoking article. However, I have one quibble with the text “…Even our avid protagonists like Owen and Hansen were beginning to consider us as potential challengers…”. Messrs. Owen and Hansen have always been very antagonistic towards all things Arsenal.
Morning all.
Top post Ginge.
Jordan, Luznic … we think alike. Rico, we share strong ideals on Jenks.
ha ha ha Cg.. cheers… I couldn’t bad mouth those 2 too much.. touch firmly in cheeks btw…
GOALKEEPERS
1 Wojciech Szczesny
DEFENDERS
2 Mathieu Debuchy
3 Kieran Gibbs
4 Per Mertesacker
5 Thomas Vermaelen
6 Laurent Koscielny
18 Nacho Monreal
25 Carl Jenkinson
Johan Djourou
MIDFIELDERS
7 Tomas Rosicky
8 Mikel Arteta
10 Jack Wilshere
11 Mesut Ozil
16 Aaron Ramsey
19 Santi Cazorla
20 Mathieu Flamini
24 Abou Diaby
34 Francis Coquelin
35 Gedion Zelalem
FORWARDS
9 Lukas Podolski
12 Olivier Giroud
14 Theo Walcott
15 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
17 Alexis Sanchez
22 Yaya Sanogo
27 Serge Gnabry
31 Ryo Miyaichi
Joel Campbell
At least three of those listed above should be gone by the end of the transfer window.
I never ratee Remy, except in all games he has the ability to disappear into thin air when he is facing better opponents, as a matter of fact I was sad when rumor Mills started Remy to Arsenal, I believe in JC or sirnogoal for the back up they both won’t complain too much staying on the bench and I am more optimistic about this season than the previous ones, have a little faith and let’s just celebrate it
A blog full of great coaching talents that know the management of players and the club more than the manager and management. Am disappointed that they are wasting their football know-how on keyboards while the less knowledgeable Wenger and Gazidis are getting it wrong and denying these passionte fans the opportunity to amass loads of trophies.
It is time to leave the realm of keyboard management and come out into mainstream football and showcase this skill to a world of football suffering from the dearth of expert football minds like I read here everyday. Whats the use of this amazing knowledge of the best players that will fit into every position in Arsenal and yet you allow the manager to buy misfits.
The best place to engage these management expertise, tactical nous and technical dexterity is not on the blogs. Make it practical, get involved with coaching and managing.
I am fade up with the perennial incompetence of Wenger while there are better hands here wasting away. Compare to the writings here and what Wenger does, I rate a lot of you better than this old man who is ruining and preventing the club from filling its cabinets with laurels.
Look, from the way alot of you sound on this blog, your coaching and managerial skills are needed at the club. Go there. You will certainly do better than those who are there.
hi Rico and the house…..nice read ts very much enjoyed it like dev I go into every season optimistic but I also know when not to get my hopes up this transfer season is turning out pretty OK IMO and I want to believe arsene would address the necessary positions DM cb and st for me
Cheers Scott…
Jordan, you make valid point but having listened to Aw’s recent comments he said he will buy a CB if TV goes… and he will buy if someone becomes available… it could all be lies after all…
But is that not a gamble too far?
Regulars on hh know I defend Aw than I should do…. but as Khedira got injured 15 minutes before a WC final… Kosser or Per could get injured before Crystal Palace… and if TV is not mentally with us then what?
In the past Sagna would have just slotted in seamlessly… who can we call on now?
Note that Per won’t be joining the squad until August so unless Djourou is staying we will have Hayden,Miguel and Ajayi as our CBs.
Then again Scott tells me he has seen Ramsey play as a CB so I will trust him on that. 😛
Good read tsgh, you don’t like doing things by halves do ya.
Remember telling ya to get with the program last January, you held firm saying we were still in with a good shout, fair play to you.
I have a theory on Wenger, he’s decided to do all his panic buying early this summer.
You can say 11.43 again, Luznic
ha ha ha Micko… you crack me up always…
From that list outs would be…
Djourou – Sell/Loan
Verm (don’t want him to leave)
Coq – Sell
Zelalem – Loan
Sanogo – Loan
Miyachi – Sell
Gnabry – Loan
I hope lol
Rejoice,
Hmmm…don’t have strength for endless chuckles…
Good read tsgh, had to read it twice to fully digest… morning all.
Morning Cg.
Tai, I really like him, imo he has a big career ahead if all things go well..
Tai that’s because we are both Nigerians………lol
Hi Snap/Dev… I am hopeful too but City have added very well and Chelsea have too…
——————————————————————
Yanited have a more pragmatic manager who will beat AW 7/10 times and he has done in the past too during his time at Barca and BM…
I like Aw but he is insulting our intelligence if he says there are no DM’s around for him to buy…
I am not claiming to know more than AW btw…
Good post ts
You hit the nail on the head regarding our home form last season. We didn’t lost the league because of the heavy defeats but rather failing to beat our rivals at home(except Liverpool).
Though the window is still open, I am a bit worried about Arsene’s comment regarding signing a CDM/Box-box which is dependent on what happens to our current midfielders b/w now and the end of the transfer window. How can a coach of his caliber put all his hope on Diaby staying fit
According to Arsene: “It depends on whether our midfielders get through now until the start of the season without injuries.”
Looking at those matches we lost heavily. Some of those goals could have being prevented. Arteta is very intelligent but his legs are completely gone. He smelled those dangers coming but slow in recovery. Arsenal definitely need an intelligent, dynamic and pacy CDM. We can’t afford to have a CB(Mertasacker) and CDM(arteta) who are pretty slow starting simultaneously in this big matches especially away from home and 12:45pm kick off 😉
It is a must we bring in a CDM which is currently the key component missing in this team and i guess you know my preference 😉
Ditto your 11:51 Nickie…
Thanks Bondex… I can’t understand what I write sometimes so I dont blame you… 🙂
Luznic, you say we don’t need a striker. Look at last season, Giroud started flagging, Walcott, Podoldky, Bendtner, Sanogo, nothing worked up front so we had to go back to Giroud who was either not good enough or fit enough to play. Fill-ins are not the answer, not if you want to win a league anyway. A player of equal ability was cried out for in January. Say Giroud gets injured early September. Which tall holding player will we use when a fast nippy striker is not working?
Hi snaparse, Scott…
I’d keep Gnabry Nickie, he’s more than good enough to allow rest/rotation in a number of games…
Typical example is the second goal conceded by arsenal vs soton. You can see arteta saw the danger but no legs to recover
http://youtu.be/8wslweMN17E
I don’t think Arsenal have finished dealings for the summer, even after we get a backup goal keeper. Arsene/Arsenal have shown they are willing to spend money, but the one thing that will not is getting value for money.
If we were after Balotelli, Remy and Khedira; they have, so far, priced themselves out of the market with excessive wage demands.
That may change as the window draws to a close. In the meantime we seem to be working on other targets.
Meanwhile, some of the petrodollar clubs are starting to go through some convoluted motions to meet FFP. We still have five weeks plus of the window and it could go to the wire. Arsene is dealing with the stress by chanting his favourite meditation mantra “Value for money”.
Emma you said what I was trying to say in the post in fewer words than I could with 3 pages… thanks…
As I am saying I am not slating Wenger.
Players are out there who we can buy that will not require huge salary that will make our squad good for the next 3 seasons at least…
I believe Adam said it best.Players like Vidal will take us to the next level and allow the likes of JW, Ramsey and Arteta to be rotated when needed…
Nickie – you want Gnabry on loan when you know our injury concerns? Hernandez I will take from all you mentioned but won’t even take Cavani if he was 10m the guy can be very dreadful at times the way he shoots with no precision makes OG12 looks decent
He’s got something Rico, maybe you’re right. Ox’s injuries seem more common lately so he would be useful. I think Gnabry needs work on his fitness. In the games he played last season he looked dead after 60 minutes, his tracking back faded and involvement was near 0. Could be an age thing and physicality of the league but he’s not a small lad.
That should be “…will not change is getting…”.
Rico/Luznic- Koeman wants Serge on loan for us to get Morgan… if true of course.
Ox is around and Eisfield/Bellerin can cover on the RHS if needed
also I really enjoyed the conversation between nick and a gdna about cavani I think he is a good striker it should be noted that he plays on the wings for PSG I like giroud but cavani is the better striker and as much as giroud works cavani does so much donkey work also….anyways I will like us to have another striker as Sanchez has never been a lone striker he has always been a second striker playing off somebody and expecting him to adjust almost immediately will be unfair and IMO yaya is not ready yet so we just need to get an extra body in and a sq one too I’m not trying to start a debate nickie and gdna just what I wanted to post last night but couldn’t
Luznic, If you’d read the “debate” yesterday you’d know I’m not a Cavani lover. I was just suggesting he’s like Giroud…Strong, hold up play, strong shot, bring others into play etc. He’s one of the strikers i’d least like to see at Arsenal hehe
Morning All
Morning Rico.
Good post Ginge…
OK, question time…
If the squad stays pretty much as it is, what would, in your opinion, be the minimum from this season?
And what are your actual expectations?
Wonder if Benzema will be back on the radar now that James is close to signing…..
Luznic, really? Never knew…good to meet you here, bro…aha, don’t tell me it’s a sis …like I initially mistook Rico for a he…
lol it’s fine Snaparse mate. Like I said yesterday, it was just a friendly debate and everyone has their own opinions. I respect everyones opinions on this blog and love reading them on a daily basis even if they don’t reflect my own. 🙂
Somebody said Chelsea have been the smartest this transfer window and I ask how?
£16 million Hummels to go to Salford ? Why are we not in there ?
Nick him away from the Mancs let them have T.V if he wants to join his mate and get a bit part player to fill another gap . I find myself in a half full situation regarding the coming season and I know that it’s in Wenger’s nature to wait until the end of the window but by the time it does close we are 5 games into our season and although you can’t win trophies that early , you can go a long way to losing them.
Great post, great minds TSGH, and Rico11:09 – youre dead right imo. So I have to jet today but happy to see the energy on HH. Wenger is reading. As always. But if Remy is going to Liverpool, who oh who will be our supporting striker to Giroud?
If that is true Ts, then a loan for Gnabry it is then… 😉
Kev,
Expectations this season after experiencing a title charge and FA cup title..
Definitely CL qualification 3rd and above.
Further progression in Champs league – Won’t win it
FA Cup again
Carling Cup win with youngsters.
With further signings a full Title charge and win.
hi Emma I totally agree with you arteta is a very good player but he needs someone or people to do the donkey work for him IMO if arteta should be in the team then we need someone faster than per to partner kos IMO of course
Tai…I said Chelsea have acted quickly and efficiently and got their business done. Not taking into account transfer fees, they have done well to set themselves up for a decent pre-season and a good start to the season
Good question Potter, we darn well should be…
ts – thanks
The dippers have gone in for Manquillo after arsenal pulled out of the deal
Andrew – TW will last the season and we bought Sanchez already and JC might be staying and with all these would you still like to flood the team with another one knowing it could even unsettle the new one if he is not played and stability is all I want than seeing any name in, RVP ended my love for players and now I only love the arsenal and no players so the ones we have are enough imo
Andrew – TW will last the season and we bought Sanchez already and JC might be staying and with all these would you still like to flood the team with another one knowing it could even unsettle the new one if he is not played and stability is all I want than seeing any name in, RVP ended my love for players and now I only love the arsenal and no players so the ones we have are enough imo
Morning Kev…
I respect your views too nickie like I do to everyone else that’s why we all love arsenal cheers my friend
Thanks Kev… I think we have the solidarity and squad harmony to get a cup; but I am afraid we are again looking at 4th…
We will need luck…
At the moment unless injuries permit, AW will start with Arteta/Flamini; Ramsey and Diaby in midfield from August.
Are we going to rely on Ramsey again to score goals from midfield?
How quickly can someone like Khedira come in and hit the ground running if Diaby or Arteta gets injured in the US of A? But then again Khedira wont be ready until mid August at least if we bought him anyway so…
The likes of Ozil wont be ready for Community shield on 10th… nor will Per.
Also, apart from Yanited last summer almost all winers of the community shield have gone on to win the cup…
What I can’t get my head round is how we complain about transfer fees? As an example if 1 of our CMs gets injured won’t the asking price of Khedira or Morgan go up as we will be seen as desperate…
I too think Chelsea have acted smartly as they have addressed their pressing issue but who wouldn’t with the money the have?….I hate them as much as spurs still
Thanks Roger..
You killed me with that news potter…
Here’s a question for you Tai…
You blast teams for paying huge transfer fees, you said yesterday that you were even beginning to feel disappointed supporting Arsenal after we’ve spent a bit of money on Ozil and Sanchez. What are your views on the teams taking the money/bumping up prices, surely the selling club are at fault as well? Which means you only respect lower league teams as they do not command high fees or buy players for high fees.
Which clubs in the premier league gets buying/selling right in your opinions?
Luznic ‘flood the team’ 🙂
Now that’s a new phrase for building a squad!
Man City had four strikers last season, didn’t actually do them a lot of harm did it?
snaparse- Yep
Both(Mert and Arteta) are slow. It’s suicidal having both in those big matches. If only our game plan is to sit deep and play on the counter which we hardly then it could work.
Emma – Arteta is slow at running but he’s quick at moving the ball on, I think counter attacking would work with Arteta in the team
emma – I agree with your 11:54 am post regarding Arteta, good head but aging legs. We do need a new DM, but keep Arteta forr the final year of his contract as the new man beds in and Mikel would be a great senior player in the middle of the Young Guns for the League Cup games.
Tai…..you mistook Rico for a he? she is the Lady of the house and the boss………am a bro by by the way and I said Chelsea were the most brilliant because they acted fast, identified what they needed and went for it and you could argue about it but they are pretty much settled right now
Hi emma and anyone else I missed 😉
I have never rated Jose but even i would admit he has plugged his gaps very well..
When you hear Aw and IG saying we will buy the right players when the players become available it is quite a meek approach imho..
Lets make clubs offers they can’t refuse…
As i have asked before, would we have bought Sanchez if a Chelsea or City had come in?
Arteta wont be slow if he was rotated… being asked to play against a Stoke 3 days before facing a Chelsea on the other hand is a recipe for disaster…
If we had the squad depth then Aw would rotate his better players and keep them fresh before a big match…
Before the thrashing at City… Arteta, Sagna, Gibbs,Kosser and BFG were part of the core that had not lost a game in 19 months…
Andrew – Yes its a new phrase invented by me …..lol…..those four strikers were Jovetic, Negredo, Aguero and Dzeko and only Dzeko was fit all through, Jovetic played few games and Aguero in an out Negredo was out for months and he is out for months again, there were no problems because they were unfit imagine they were fit the players will want a move after a season I don’t want that at Arsenal 4 strikers is a lot to have in one team
Morning all, good post Mr Ts.
I think AW is going to buy a CM, the problem is, i think he is looking for a more busquets type more than a natural DM like Claude makelele. The bisquets type can play pivot with AR or sit in front MA/MF while AR move to AM allowing MO to drift inside from the wings to be more robust, playing away from home against the bigger teams. So basically he is looking for a second player like Ramsey. IMO
Thanks Dna…
hi rico 😉
At the moment Chelsea and City have both got a balanced team. We are 3 players away from a balanced team but the key is the CDM/Box-box player. Man united will have to spend above the roof to get their players in. LFC will not do a spurs cause they are balancing out the team with PL experience. Spurs will always be sh*t 😆 Everton won’t have the same impact like last season because of Europa league commitment. There might be one or 2 surprise team this season
Emma I like arteta as a player very much but there needs to be a balance in the team last season we didn’t really have an identity I want to have a style and if so let’s get the proper players to do it we can’t play a high line with per in the team the German coach noticed it and benched him look I’m not slating per as he is very much into arsenal like I am and he has been the best defender in the club for a time but I’m just trying to make a point…ozil had to be sold as he didn’t really fit into Carlo’s tactics and isco is was on the bench last season because of same reason doesn’t make them bad players but the team has to be balanced I will like us to go back to counter attacking football imo
Ginge – Do you think Arsene has given up on buying a DM, as we still being linked with the likes of Bender, Carvalho and Schneiderlin; or is he just biding his time for the right deal?
Nickie,12.18
I think you got it twisted. I said we got Ozil, Sanchez and I was praying for Khedira but if we went on to add James Laudriguez and Verane as well that I’d start seeing Arsenal as attempting to buy trophies too. That I prefer sweating for my trophies, giving youth a chance than loading our team with all grade A players.
On your take on Chelsea doing business early…players want to come to Arsenal but most deals are stalled based on personal wages. We’ve improved financially, yes … but we still can’t match Chelsea on wages. The danger of agreeing say 150k per week for Khedira is that it becomes a benchmark when renewing other players’ contracts.
So, Wenger is not just looking for marquee signings but also those willing to operate within our wage structure. I still pray we add a strong DM.
And take this home – Sanchez is the best signing of this summer…and when I say this, I don’t mean just in England…next season will prove that
Ginge – “Lets make clubs offers they can’t refuse…” that is what gets the petrodollar clubs like Chelski, Abu Dhabi Citeh, PSG, etc. paying over the odds for players & wages and in trouble with FFP.
We’d never buy them players though Tai. Wenger doesn’t like spending big on defenders and he certainly wouldn’t want to spend 60-80m on 1 player.
In regards to Sanchez i’d already said Wenger had done well with Sanchez and do believe he’ll be one of the signings of the summer.
Ginge/Nick, I am somewhere in between.
I think that 3rd is a definate, or should be with the squad we have.
Both Liverpool and ManUre will have reactions to their previous seasons, imo, Liverpool with fixture congestion and the loss of Suarez, ManUre with a new manager and all that entails (that’s why we mustn’t let them have Vermaelen)…
For Arsenal, finishing 3rd with maybe one of the cups, would imo, constitute another good season….
Of course if Ivan and Dick bring in a couple more top quality players, then a tilt at the EPL title could be on.
oh and you didn’t answer my question lol
Kev – Amen to that!
AW could beat the likes of City, Chavs etc IF he gets the right players and sets up up the right way.
This ‘the best way to defend is to attack’ theory did us last season…
Snaparse – I think it all depends on wenger unfortunately. Away from home against our rivals I would prefer a counter attacking approach. We’ve now got pace in the team which we never had last season esp in attack(sanchez, Joel Campbell, Walcott) and we can afford to bring Giroud in from the bench in the last few minutes
Nickie,
For me, buying Sanchez is far smarter business than buying Costa. Buying Debuchy is equally smarter than buying Athletico left back, Luis. And selling Mata one window, buying Fabregas the next is an open show of confusion.
And, of course, calling your fellow top four manager a ‘specialist in failure’ is the most dumbass remark in modern history!
true ts re rotation Wenger hardly trait his bench players to fill in for the senior ones expect an injury occur the thing is he also won’t replace the ones he doesn’t trust the simple solution is buy a better player than arteta or a younger player so to speak and make arteta a sub that way its easier to rotate as he can trust arteta same applies everywhere quality is always the key IMO if u buy a quality player then the person he replaces becomes an adequate deputy
AW & Ivan might be thinking Shad Forsythe is the best signing in this widow, you never know whats happening at AFC.
Tai, how can you prove your 12:49 pm when the season starts in Aug?
Arsenal take Islington to court. They really are trying to squeeze out every penny;
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-launch-legal-battle-over-number-of-concerts-at-emirates-stadium-9620918.html
I really hope he makes a difference Gdna and most of all, I hope those at the club listen to what he has to say and do it….
Luznic: – or you could say Man City were prepared and coped with injuries. We never expect them and are not prepared. Taking last three seasons were you glad our squad was too thin but kept the players happy? Or would it have been better to have more cover?
You said yourself, its about Arsenal, not the individual players.
tai just because you support doesn’t mean u shouldn’t look at things in a fair way…….you never can tell how any signing will turn out until they have played for the club for sometime…..if we had bought Luis and Chelsea had bought debuchy will u still be saying we what your saying?
Rico – If Shad Forsythe can save us just a few of the injuries to key players like Ramsey and Ozil in the latter part of last season, he will have earned his money.
Gdna,
Sanchez is a player that has a lot of pace and movements off the ball…can slot into any front three role…Costa is just through the middle! Both are coming from La Liga … so same experience, same age.
Debuchy has proven his EPL adaptation, plays as his country’s first choice…Luis is yet to test EPL, (remember Monreal!) and doesn’t get anywhere bear Brazil’s first choice.
I don’t need the season to kick off to know that!
hi Rico isn’t shad forsthye the German physio?
Snaparse,
I don’t becloud my senses when I make passionate appraisals…I don’t see the yam in my neighbour’s barn always better than mine either.
Luis is yet to kick a ball in the EPL…and with experiences of Santos and Monreal, don’t count full backs in this league until they prove themselves…
On sanchez…Messi has been the one overshadowing him. Players with pace and tenacity hardly flop in the EPL!
Cg, he sure will, fingers and toes crossed eh….
Maybe he can even sort Diaby out… Ok, that’s pushing it a bit.. 😉
If we needed another forward player, what majority of HH would take Di Maria if it meant Sanchez was to become our main CF with Giroud dropping as cover?
Rico,
Because of Forsythe, I was monitoring the German team’s fitness during the World Cup…I was giving thumbs up until that final…first Khedira, then his replacement and…and…my expectations came down to normal!
Tai, lord Jesus, i got you bro, but i’m not a big fan of this “EPL adaption” good players play anywhere. So is Adam Banana a better buy than Alexis?
rico, maybe he can stretch that shorter leg of Diaby’s or stick something underneath 😉
I think a lot depends on the players the new signings have around them too.
Look at Ozil, how many of us would deny that he would have probably had a much better season had we had more pace and movement ahead of him?
How often did he get the ball, look up and saw nothing, so back went the ball and attacking move over…
Which is why I still think we need to sign a pacey striker….
Rico – Maybe he can sort Diaby out. Remember those seasons where Rosicky was in and out of the squad before he was properly diagnosed and the resulting surgery did wonders. A new approach might just work with DIaby.
Nickie,
Di Maria is a great player…very great but his coming will affect Walcott most, not Giroud…Di Maria operates best from the right, cutting in and will even clash with Ozil in positioning!
But neither were/are long term injuries are they Tai?
Andrew, I know where I’d like stick something 😉
Cg – I do but has Diaby’s problems ever been diagnosed do you know?
Apart from the length of his legs of course… 😉
If Di Maria is available to us, then I’d give that move a huge thumbs up. None of us know how Theo will return and if he’ll stay fit etc etc…
Depth, strength is what we need in this squad if we are going to win the PL again…
I think we should just get Diaby fit and send him back to France. His body is no longer able to cope with the PL.
Rico – I am sure Diaby has been assessed and reassessed, but he may have been misdiagnosed or mistreated like Rosicky. As you said, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed.
Gdna, I think he’ll be allowed to go for free next summer…..
Cg – I’m sure too but our medics don’t seem to be the most switched on cookies in the tin so the addition of Forsythe is long overdue and most welcome..
Snaparse, yes he is, well was, he’s joining us after his holiday…
Gdna – Quite agree with you. IF a bid comes in (£1m or less) we should let him go. I would have preferred letting him go for free or cancel his contract instead of allowing him to take a squad space. Wengers loyalty to him have caused us a lot. We have missed out on players whom we could have signed. From Wenger’s last comment this season might be no exception. I fear we will only sign a CDM/Box-box player the season after when diaby’s contract expires 🙁
Real Madrid C. F. ✔ @realmadrid
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Reconocimiento médico de James Rodríguez http://bit.ly/Ww4BMR #BienvenidoJames #halamadrid
8:14 AM – 22 Jul 2014
di Maria can also play as a cm cam and also on the wings I will be all over him too but rumours here say PSG are looking at him
Real Madrid is such a huge club, they do whatever they feels like. lol
But they’ll have to sell now Gdna surely?
Rico…neither was the World Cup a season-long tournament either..
My reasoning is just not to expect miracles from the new man…the issues with injuries are complicated and depend a lot on the sensitivity of the manager to manage starts and subs. For instance, I would have removed Walcott from that Spurs FA Cup game 10 minutes before he got injured.
We were two goals up, Walcott had played excellently all over the pitch, got a few knocks to deserve to have been subbed. But Wenger didn’t and rest is history.
Got to love Sky Sports.
They have just shown that Suarez scored 31 goals in 33 games last season.
They list Remy, Lambert and two other of their signings saying it took them 94 matches to do the same…..
🙂
Tai , I don’t think you put blame on Kramer for getting concussed , that can happen to anyone.
tai using Santos and monreal as examples why Luis will fail is a bit extreme as Luis is a better defender than both plus he played for one of the best defensive teams last season a team that won the LA liga and were few minutes away from winning the cl the fact he was not called up for Brazil doesn’t make him a bad player….Gibbs was not called up does it make him a bad player?
It spells good news for us Rico, that’s why i think this is the year to spend and next year we worry about formation/playing style. The major spenders hands are tied, we need to take advantage and relax next year.
Tai, I was referring more to Diaby really and managing his health.
But yes, TW should have been off before his injury struck just as Ramsey Ozil etc shouldn’t have been played as much as they were which is why we need to add more players.
So if Di Maria is available, go get him I say….
As Ts said in the post, AW has all too often had a big squad but after the first 15-17 ish players, he doesn’t trust them so in theory, they are a waste of time…
The only player who might replace OG12 will only be TW14. It will not be any player coming from outside.
So those who are suggesting that if Di Maria comes Theo’s place will be under threat need to think it over. Imagine an advanced midfield of Cazorla, Ozil, Di Maria. Even Cesc will go green with envy.
I’d spend big this summer too Gdna, I really would, then as you suggest, just add/sell to keep things fresh as and when needed…
Our attack would be so versatile if we signed Di Maria. It would also be frightening for opposition defences.
Walcott – Ozil – Di Maria
———-Sanchez———-
Sanchez – Ozil – Di Maria
———-Giroud———–
Ox – Cazorla – Sanchez
———Giroud———-
Many more possibilities.
Even….
Sanchez – Ozil – Di Maria
———Campbell———
Looks frightening lol
I choose to join the ‘5+ new players will dstabilize the team’ wagon. I noticed every1 writes off Poldi as a support striker,reasons I dnt understand. This team is good to go,add a GK and a mean DM/CB in Mascherano mould(JavierMartinez, anyone?),whether TV5 stays or not.
For Sale: Sami, Isco and Di Maria. lol.
Gdna & Rico – Real will probably have to sell a few players &/or put them out on season long loans to balance their books after buying James. Maybe, the prices of Di Maria and Khedira will be dropped to push through sales.
Snaparse,
I never said Luis will fail…I was only reacting to Nickie and others who said Chelsea did a smarter business…and I say that buying Debuchy who is already tested in the EPL and first choice French left back, is smarter than buying Luis who isn’t. Besides, Debuchy just returned from World Cup, Luis wasn’t there at all! Just this comparison.
But when you insisted, I referred to both Santos and Monreal…who we all heralded their signings, were quite good players before they came but who fell short of expectations!
Gibbs has his incessant injuries to blame for nothing being in Brazil, not ability!
Cg- my view on making a club an offer they can’t refuse imo means paying £15m for Cabaye and not bidding £12M even at his age…
Cabaye still had 3 years in him… buying him would have at least given us cover for Ramsey… and he and Arteta would have worked whilst Flamini and Arteta as I said even before they played together would never work…
If I had to choose betwen Cabaye or Khedira i know who I would pick and Sami will be far behind…
Round – Not everyone writes off Poldi in the CF position, but Arsene seems averse to playing him there. That is why he is rarely mentioned as other than an emergency backup at CF.
Stuff of dreams Nickie 🙂
CG, I hope they sell to us, they are insane, they are clear favorites for La Liga and the CL.
Rodríguez
Bale CR
Benzema
compare to
Messi
Pedro Neymar
Suarez
roundleather – not sure many if any here are writing off Podolski.. But he’s not someone who can play up front on his own imo…
I posted a comment. Cannot see it.
Nickie, you know I agree with you on loads but am not so sure of your combinations apart from Sanchez and OG12 in terms of putting in the works needed.
imo, our loses had nothing to do with quality but the effort…
We can buy Di Maria, Cavani,Falcao etc but none of them will really put in the effort required at 12:45pm…
We play with 7 players maximum in the big games already we do not need any more luxury players…
Even a Costa or Balo’ who will be a nuisance to someone like Agger or John terry is a big plus than a deadly no.9 who will do minimum upfront…
I think we’re suddenly thinking fantasy football here…do we need be reminded again that Wenger says changing more than three players from previous season’s line-up distorts technical balance of any side. He was proved right on Spurs in recent past. Whoever is dreaming of more than three outfield players starting for Arsenal next season should wake up or sack Wenger first!
Cg, I think the same about Real, they will have to sell. What they have done for a change is get their player early in the window and now they can sit back and see who will pay the most for their players…
Although that might bite them on the backside as other clubs will know they are desperate to sell to cover the cost of James..
Round.. apart from AW playing Poldi as a CF who else has played him as a CF after he left BM?
Ginge – Point taken, I do agree that Arsene/Arsenal have lost transfer targets because they have tried a little too hard to get players on the cheap (i..e. well below commonly accepted market valuations). Those very lowball bids have put other clubs off dealing with our club.
I have to agree tai with your above…
Good Afternoon Rico and All.
T’s. Interesting read but not completely agreed with you. Yes, such a post call for good debate and we can look back and see where we went wrong the past season.
One major factor was we needed a striker completely different from OG12 and, the boss failed to make the necessary acquisition knowing very well that we an alternative; when he went for Demba Ba and Mourinhno turn him down. And it was not the first time he turned him down. He did it when he was with RM.
We lost key players in our midfield to injuries and we went to Chelsea and Mancity with attacking-mindset, and that was wrong. We got hammered by Liverpool and the game was over within the first half. The same old tactics as usual.
This time around, I’m hoping not just for the type of players that are required, but also the kind of tactics that we’re going to employed so history doesn’t repeat itself.
“we need an alternative”
Neither can I Devil and it’s not behind the scenes either…
Ts ,1:57pm, isn’t Cavani 1 of the most hard working CF in Europe?
The only player who might replace OG12 will only be TW14. It will not be any player coming from outside.
So those who are suggesting that if Di Maria comes Theo’s place will be under threat need to think it over. Imagine an advanced midfield of Cazorla, Ozil, Di Maria. Even Cesc will go green with envy.
Yes, Real have to sell. But it does not mean we will buy.
tsgh- How abt a lil tactics from leProf, Let Poldi and Sanchez strike from wide wt Mesut as false9. It jst ‘myt’ work wonders. Thats if and Wen Olivier needs rest
Ts, that hard work can be done by the others.. 😉
Ts,
You’re right I was just going by names on paper with those line ups. Di Maria isn’t really a fighter is he. Which is why i’m really happy with this as our starting line up
Walcott-Ozil-Sanchez
——-Giroud———
Ozil’s effort comes into question but as shown at this world cup he’s certainly not afraid to put in a shift with his tracking back and running
If we were going on fighting attitude who gives everything to the team how would people feel about Medel as our DM?
Afternoon Ng..
And what a crazy time AW went for Ba eh?
The mere fact that he went for a different kind of striker last summer, albeit it mucked it right up when trying, makes me think we could yet see one signed….
It’s a good job football is still played on a field. Mind you I see a JJ Abrams movie where the sport will only be played by master tacticians on the Internet rather like an old episode of the original Star Trek where wars were fought in the same way and casualties resulting from virtual attacks were slaughtered by each side.
Whatever happened to Saturday afternoons spent with mates on the terraces? Is what we have really any better? I think not.
Patterns and computer tactics are fun for some no doubt but when Tony Pulis brings a team of 6 foot 4 inch brutes to the Emirates and they go a goal up from a long ball, who is going to stand up and say ” No, we are not having this?” When your pivotes and your holding midfielders and overlapping wing backs have been out muscled by players trained by a manager who thinks that the quickest way to put the ball into dangerous areas is to hoof it towards your goal, you need quality players that can read the game ‘in real-time’. Players that can take the ball with a single touch and have a picture of the game in their heads while they are being kicked from pillar to post in the Pulis Way. That is the English Premier League. Fail those tests and you have zero.
Dont know what happened. I reposted it again a couple of minutes ago.
I posted it, the it appeared and when I refreshed…..voila’ …..it disappeared.
The chilean mascherano lol
Hi Ng… point taken. Hope you are well?
Question for you… realistically who could we have bought as a striker in January and hit the ground running?
For me all the Draxler stuff was BS…
Anyone who honestly watches Bundesliga religiously would agree Julian wont have added nothing to us…
AW realised we needed to defend from the front that was why he tried to get Vucini from Juve but the player was not prepared to just come for 6 months knowing we were never going to sign him on a permanent basics…
Had di Natali not announced his retired, AW would have tried him again in January…
personally, i think OG12 would have maintained his form if Aw had rotated before November… but then again he might have been scared of dropping points like we have done in.
I said in August after the Fene’bache game and November that Ramsey getting injured will end our season…
Look at how Ozil’s game dropped without Ramsey in the squad…
That was why AW to me should have gone for Cabaye…
Buying a striker would never have stopped those 6, 5 and 3 goals we conceded at Chelsea, Wastelands and Everton…
An alternative midfielder like Cabaye would have…
Good day all… Nice article Ts
as things stands it is very simple
1) get good CDM and GK and we’ll challenge for the title
2) get CB,GK without CDM and fourth place it is again
3)get CB,GK and CDM and we’ll probably win it.
I’ll also sell Verm or get him a good partner. He looks like an orphan alongside Kos or Merts.
Surely, if we have the right defenders and the right midfield, the out right wingers and striker will be able to get their own jobs done properly?
Not a bad idea Round…
😀 Rico
Adam…….you are right. Rico…..print out a Uefa A certificate for him 😉
Spot on mate
Dna, he works hard for Uraguay but not for Psg.. correct me if I am wrong though…
Below sheds some light on how Cavani performed…
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/blanc-wants-cavani-be-leader
Cheers Dev. 🙂
Adam – All too true. Managers the likes of Pulis and Fat Sam will be with us for some time yet. Route 1 long ball forward and defend like it is a rugby game as long as the refs are complacent.
Rico. Skills are one thing. Heart and courage are something else entirely.
I’m being serious though Ts. When we were talking about a right back, most of us here agreed that first and foremost we wanted someone who could defend properly and not just be a player who can bomb up the wing and cross a ball.
So why when talking about wingers and strikers are ‘we’ talking about their defensive duties.
For me it’s about balance from the goal keeper to striker and if we get a a proper ‘DM’ then a lot of our problems from the seasons gone by will be solved…
CG. I have watched many games at the Emirates and elsewhere where sheer bloodymindedness and an even temperament were the most important attributes. I like it when I see an Arsenal player get pissed off and start to put himself about and fight for the team and club’s pride. Looking back over the decades I must say it is what being an Arsenal player is really all about.
Hi Joy.. I ditto your above post…
We need a goalie, a DM/CM irrespective of JW or Diaby’s availability and a CB irrespective of TV staying…
I will be as greedy as rico for once and say we need Turan too 😉
we started last season with 3 CB’s… 4 seasons ago we ran out of LB; But AW is telling us that losing the person who covered us when Per or Kosser was out without bringing in anyone else is still good enough to challenge for the title..
How many games has TV played in the last 2 season btw? He was even injured in the WC… I rate TV btw..
Note, I never moan about us not winning anything… I enjoy the ride. 😉
I didn’t see you Adam… 😉
Ts, at PSG Zlatan is the main man, Cavani plays as winger in most games, AFC sign Alexis was deemed surplus to requirements at Barca and everyone agreed that he was in Messi shadow, why its different with Cavani, who is behind a player like Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
I’m off for the night. Have a great day everyone and keep up the spirited debate.
Keep The Faith!
All three are perfect though Adam….
Rico, I am with you on FB’s being defenders first… you and Wath have converted me…
After this WC and having watched BVB and BM last season I think you have been spot on all along…
Night Cg…
I too pretty much agree Jeff…
Rico. You know me. I sneaked in the back door by bribing the bouncer. 🙂
Perhaps that’s why Aurier never arrived Ts…
Dna, at Psg I agree with your point.Putting things in context and analysing our squad… can you name me 3 players in our squad who work harder than Lavezzi, Verrati, Maxwell or Matuidi?
My argument is that we have ‘lazy’ players… there is no no more room for luxury players imo…
Night Cg
Max Bentley @MaxBentley1 · 9m
Real Madrid starting XI next season. Estimated cost: €437.5m
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtJbI8ECMAEBRAj.jpg:large
Enjoyed the read ts,
On Morgan not seen enough of him even on the box.
Tai,your told me the otherday to forget about Khedira,so its all right for you to keep mentioning him every 20 minutes.
Ts, Ramsey, Kos & Gibbs. They all work but they doesn’t work hard enough. I know you all hate Piers Morgan, but he gave a very good assessment of the squad on AFC fan TV, can you post the link?
Fuck me, listening to all you lot whinging on here about who we ain’t bought and how short we are and crap and need this and that you’d think it was Sep 2nd….! Get a grip…..!
🙂 Adam, I can picture you doing just that…. lol
In our starting probably most played 11 last season Ts…..Scz, Sag, Mert, Kos, Gibbs, Ram, Arteta, Cazorla, Ozil, Pod, Giroud…..
Who would you say is luxury or lazy?
And in general at Arsenal, I can only think of 3 players who I look at and think “he could be trying harder”
It will be soon Wath… 😉
Chelsea can have Cesc because Oscar and Hazard, Schurle, willian will put in the miles needed…
City can have Silva because Nasri and Milner put in the mileage..
At AFC SC19 and Poldi trail Schurle, Hazard and co in work rate whenever we play…
I know heat maps and km’s run is stats but if anyone gets the chance to compare our 11 vs any of the other teams they may realise we are being short changed imho…
In most cases it may not matter if were playing a shite team however, if we are playing a top team with 11 equally very good players then the ‘cosmetic’ side of the game counts for little; what will take you over the line is 11 men putting in the effort but not 5 or 6 players grafting whilst 4 others wait to be served the ball on a platter…
T’s. All is well. Hope you’re too.
To answer your question, I would have gone for EPL experience with something different to OG. Bony is one . Jay Rodrique from Southampton would have been another. Even Campbell would have made a difference. Remember, all these players are EPL experienced.
Hi Fred. I too have been trying to get a good look at Shneiderlin but have been unlucky so far. Perhaps he is so good that one never notices him?
Sometimes it seems that players that don’t play for Arsenal acquire a near mythical status because someone saw them do a few good things on TV sometime in the past. The World Cup has a lot to answer for as every move or play is broken down into its constituent parts with the suggestion being that every move was prep landed in the mind of some great genius.
What the WC suggested to me was that a big-hearted, well organised team of reasonable players can beat a team of superstars and that footballers are rather like fashion items in that they come and go with alarming regularity. Spontaneity on a football pitch and the all round ability of a great natural player seems less valued than a tattooed bloke with a haircut that defies logic.
Ts is there a stat for the mental side of the game.
“a tattooed bloke with a haircut that defies logic” good 1, Adam you don’t play. lol
Get a life Wath or better still pour yourself a gallon of GG..:-)
Fred, have a look at your comment when we drew with southamapton…
Adam,are you not a fan of Schneiderlin?
Adam I want to see a thinking captain with the bollocks to change things mid match. Switch the wingers , pull someone short , go 3 at the back, call a midfielder to stop in front of the back 4. A true professional should not have to wait for instructions from the bench . If it’s not right on the pitch fix it on the pitch.
I take the point about too many new people in the squad , but as TS said although we had a full on paper 25 players only 17 – 18 were considered good enough. That is where the activity has to be getting to 23/24 players ,which means either buying or promoting.
As I’ve always said Adam your put into words what I think…I think
As we know Aw wont pay £20m for Bony? Ng
Rodriguez of southampton got injured…
I am with you Ng, but AW hates buying in January so he must finish his business before August..
This is the same man who tells us the window should be closed at noon on the day the league kicks off…
I guess I sound negative but I believe in judging a man with his own yard stick…
I always pour a gallon at a time Ts….
It’s July 22nd…. This time last year we had bought………… !?!?!?
Rest my case….!
That vid shows Morgan can’t shoot and Giroud can’t tackle…. 😉
DNA. Play? No, not these days. I had a trial for Arsenal in another lifetime but wasn’t good enough though a few mates went through the youth system before dropping away. The worst of us went on to captain Chelsea though. 🙂
Ts, IG and Dickie might and they seem to be the one’s in charge of the purse this summer..
Nickie, maybe lazy is the wrong word to use to describe our players…
They all do their best but it must be said it falls short compared to the very best in the business…
Chelsea line-up against us was…
Chelsea
01 Cech
02 Ivanovic
28 Azpilicueta
21 Matic
24 Cahill
26 Terry
14 Schürrle
04 David Luiz (Mikel – 72′ )
29 Eto’o (Torres – 10′ )
11 Oscar (Salah – 67′ )
17 Hazard
All of them can be trusted to put in the required shift…
Andre Santos contract with Flamengo has been rescinded. 🙁
Potter, you are spot on about the captain.
That is why I have always said Per should be captain. If Per has the armband then things will change since he challenges the players. IMO Per is up there with TA06, PV04, Keane.
TH14, CF04, RVP10, TV05????? Do me a favour. none of them is captain material.
Arteta???? He is better than the latter group but falls just short of the elite.
We had paid a FAT 0 for Sir-No-Goal… 🙂
@Potter. Where or what captain? Are you going to tell me that Arteta dishing out instructions to JW or TW and they take it?
You mean lady Rico… 🙂
in that regard I agree with AW Ginge. The window should close at noon on the very first day of the EPL.
But likewise it should open the minute the EPL finishes in May.
ha ha ha Ng so true… Ox ignored Per when we played Chelsea.. not the first time…
He did the same last year when Kosser told him to mark a chelsea player when he came on for Diaby. The one that led to Torres scoring…
Rico. I know you and some others on here rate him but quite honestly I never seem to see him doing much. That’s me though. I like to see a player live as the camera follows the ball on TV and you only see about 30-40% of the ‘whole’ game. You also miss the sheer physicality involved. Like any sport really. Watch a GP on the telly and you think “Well, how hard can it be?” Stand by the track at Silverstone or drive a single seater yourself and you’ll find out why they get the big bucks.
Ts I cant remember what I had for breakfast mate.
No only joking…..I did say not enough of him,
compareing him with Sammy and this is only on the box,seen a lot more of sammy who I like,at the same time I would like to see us go for a player such as Morgan,but as we are now buying top end I would go for proven player.
Fu#k me you’ve got a good memory Ts.
NG………that is what I said. Per, like Keane, PV, TA would have made sure that TW and JW would have listened to the advice. They would have made sure that either it goes in through the ears or they would stick it in up their arsehole.
Afternoon all, another lively debate,might have known Ts had something to do with it…
Adam, i was just telling you i enjoy your comment. lol. Remember i use Obama slang’s not familiar with the Queen slang’s. lol
Fair comment Adam. Did I ever tell you I once drove a racing car at high speed… 😉
Ox, Theo, Jack. They have something in common Ginge.
They are fekking ENGLISH players.
In other words……..MORONS.
With all due respect to the English Generations who are above 45 years old.
According to that ever reliable organ of bullshit, the Daily Star, Liverpool have ‘hijacked’ Arsenal’s bid for Maquillo, or whatever his name was, you know, the geezer at Atletico.
No doubt the moment somebody signs for another club, who we were linked with, even if Wenger was never in for them, the Daily Shite/Star will cane Arsenal/Wenger, for being too slow/tight/ or dithering.
It’s part of the Press/Media anti-Arsenal agenda…
Othet clubs ‘will’ sign players, it happens, but it doesn’t mean we were ever interested in those players, despite what is reported in the Daily Shite, Daily Heil, TalkRubbish or Jamaican Gleaner…
GDNA. I shall try to bear that in mind. 🙂
emma – that must because of the attack on him by the fans. What a sorry state of affairs…
Rico. No you didn’t. I shall be my usual nosey self when next we meet. 🙂
Potter, if I may add to your 2:47… Arteta, Per,TR07 and Ramsey do their best to change things on the pitch… imo the 3 midfielder do that very frequently..
The FA cup is an example.. another one is Norwich away or CP away..
You see the 3 of them get together when we are chasing games and switching positions…
As you go to all the matches can you recall when you observed Arteta and JW communicating during a game?
Kev. Did you know that I hijacked Rico’s bid for the Prosecco?
T’s. John Obi Mikel was put in front of the back-4 when chelsea played us in the Ems. In the return phase Oscar put onto Arteta because Jose knows Arteta has no pace.
Afternoon Bt 🙂
What age is the cut off point to be a moron Hell? lol
Bt… you dont come from the same place as Micko do you? 🙂
Ts, from your virtual black book, hi Nickie.
Indeed Ng…
Fergie and Moyes also put Fat Wooney on top of Arteta but still we are left with 10 vs 10 or 9 vs 9; what do the rest of our players do…
Maybe it is Aw’s fault tactically but that is why is why I dont rate SC19 as a no.10…
saying that Ozil,RVP, Cesc and DB10 in the past did their jobs defensively on opponents DM’s…
😀 Bt.. how are you mate?
Adam….have you ever wondered why JW does not play as much games as he should????
Injuries??
Or does le Prof not trust him much since MA, TR, AR get together and when he is in the team JW is the odd one out???
Nickie not cut off point. Just banged in the age number. However the more I talk to some of the English youths today (not all of them, dont get me wrong) the more I get the impression I need to vomit.
And the more I get the feeling that they should be caned on their arses until they bleed. Not that that will cure them of their audacity and thick headedness.
🙂 fred….
Morgan may look better as a big fish in a small pond but he scores high in all the things a DM should be good at imo…
My concern is Aw is a DM snob… note he still has not spent over £12m on a defensive player.
Blimey Devil, that’s harsh on our poor young English players…
Fred,
lol…I said forget Khedira because news had it Mourinho was after him. Knowing Wenger hardly drags players with other managers. Now it appears Mouriho isn’t after Khedira or he is and Madrid are not willing to do business with because of the sour way both parted company, I still prefer Khedira as our DM.
🙂 Adam, surely not…
Afternoon Bt..
Ts, fine mate, i think myself and Micko maybe on the same island, i see your on fine form today.
Being youthful myself (don’t be jealous 🙂 ) I too share some of your feelings for part of the youth of today. Youth is definitely on a downwards spiral in the UK. Hopefully some of the youth players coming through are level headed, calm and professional. Ramsey is a great role model.
As Rico said @ 2:53, IG and Dickie in charge now.
Those days when AW makes those excuses about we can’t find decent players or the money is not there, are gone now. We just can sit in the dark with candle and lighter in our hands and don’t use it. When we took the lead last season, I like many others, was hope at some point for the double.
Not harsh Rico. I know you agree with me.
Just take a look at how English national teams fare in competitions.
now take a look at the following article………
An extraordinary story has come out of Spain today with reports claiming that Lionel Messi was ‘seriously considering’ a move to Arsenal before signing a contract extension at Barcelona towards the end of last season.
There were rumours circulating throughout the course of last season that Messi wasn’t entirely content at the Nou Camp with the likes of PSG and even Man City reportedly monitoring his situation.
However, according to Spanish newspaper Vozpopuli, Messi gave serious consideration to making a sensational move to Arsenal and spoke to then-team mate Cesc Fabregas about life in north London.
The paper claims that Messi even instructed his agent to hold talks with Arsenal about whether a transfer could realistically happen, should he decide to quit the Catalan giants.
With a reported £200m buy-out clause and wages of over £12m per season, I think it’s safe to say Messi was out of our reach, and he ended up signing a new lucrative contract extension with Barca two months ago.
It’s a sensational claim by the newspaper but as unlikely as it sounds on the face of it, you just never know how much truth could be in it. Messi was close to joining Arsenal as a kid and I’m sure he’d have heard great things about the club and Arsene Wenger from Fabregas.
I’m not for one second thinking a deal was a possibility as the financials involved would have been impossible for us to match, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the great Lionel Messi was considering a switch to the Emirates.
Thankfully we got the next best thing in Alexis Sanchez and we only had to pay a fraction of what Messi would have cost. However, maybe we could reunite the pair again one day in the future….when does Messi’s new deal run out?!
We can but dream…..
Dev. I am at an impasse with my opinion of Jack. He’s an Arsenal boy and as such I feel something extra for him. I hate it when I see people on here constantly digging him out and moaning about him. Everyone knows that this is his year to come of age and grow into the all-round player we hope he can be. Yes, he holds onto the ball too long and draws fouls and yes, opponents foul him from the moment he comes onto the pitch. If he carries on playing in the same way I think he could be finished by 27 or 28. I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to say that I have all the answers but perhaps if he got the picture quicker and played the simple ball earlier, it might help. Perhaps starting deeper and being encouraged to accept more responsibility might also help? Who knows? As for who he plays alongside? Wenger has a lot more experience with me on that one, so I will leave it up to him. 🙂
Dev et al- I have a question for you. Lets assume the rumours that AW dictates the buying price is true…
so if Aw had to £20m to spend on a player and he had 5 top strikers but 1 DM do you think AW will buy a 6th striker and push his no.10 to DM or he will pay £20m on the DM?
How long did we track BFG for? we only went back for himwhen Bremen were in serious need for cash and they were willing to accept a lower fee…
Nashua / Ts . That’s all part of the problem . Wenger has created a bubble where the players seem isolated from each other. if a senior player told me to do something and I didn’t do it , there would be hell to pay afterwards. It’s part of being a collective – a team . Perhaps if our youngsters were not lauded so early in their careers they might realise that they have a lot of learning still to do to progress and that they can trust their older colleagues to help them get there.
Devil, I don’t think our English boys are all that bad, ok Jack persists in having the odd fag and a drink off season but otherwise they are seldom in the press for anything mischievous…
I strongly suspect if we had a proper captain in the mould of Adams or Paddy, they’d soon sharpen up…
Talking of memories Fred, you should have a chat with Adam, he has a memory like an elephant, but that, thankfully, is where the resemblence ends.
Fred, he reminds me of things that I posted weeks and even months ago. Especially if i’m contradicting myself, a crime I admit to…
Adam will verbally cane me for it.
Bt, I decided to play for the dark side and slate Aw for a change… 😉
Now get Scott on here to get on board; he can’t hang me out to dry… 🙂
We have English boys/girls at our school where I work. There are a few good level headed ones. But the majority give you that feeling of nausea. They think they are God’s gift to earth and fail to realise that they are plain stupid dumb asses.
Of course….stupid people will never realise how stupid they are.
Ts
I think that’s why he was after Khedira. So he could convince himself he wasn’t really spending 20m on a defensive target. Makes him feel better.
Ts, he certainly wouldn’t buy a striker, he likes those less than most positions.
I think we’ll get a DM, just might not be who some of us here want.
On that note, I must pop off for a few hours, catch up after dinner…
🙂 🙂 Kev, your last comment has make me giggle….
Lata’s
I go with you, Joy…
If we get Di Maria…and shut doors on any other business, we’ll only manage top 4…but just adding Schneiderin will make us title challengers.
Part of the reason Wenger went through the trophy drought is loving a particular set of players to the detriment of having a balanced squad. Every technically gifted midfielder gets his interest while hardball DMs and rugged CBs hardly get his second glance.
The only player needed in this team to make it contenders is just a solid DM…in my order of preference – Khedira, Schneiderin, Bender.
Di Maria is luxury that should only be considered after acquiring that DM.
Adam….yesterday I gave the answer to that question when I compared Seb Perez to him. Seb P did quick one twos, ran into space, created space and arrived in the position that JW took around 6 touches to dribble the ball into.
Seb kept it simple. If JW does the same the holding position will be his.
Is he intelligent enough to realise it. I hope he is. But do not count your chicks while they are yolks.
Ts, i welcome you with open arms..lol.. Ts i don’t think it’s AW who’s dictating player values this transfer window.
Rico/Potter society has change imho…
Teachers can’t even discipline year 2 kids in school now…
How can Per on 20k less a weekthan JW tell him what to do.
I doubt John Terry has to do a lot of captains job on Hazard or even Oscar…
I share the view that if I have to be scared of someone before i respect him then I am not right upstairs…
When I was a young lieutenant, a sergeant with 15 years service experience may salute me in public but I would still seek counsel from him for his experience in private…
Self Respect Imho…
So so true Nickie… lol
Luznic, I missed your question earlier… as you know I love Wenger really… I have now been convinced we will finish 1st… come on! 🙂
It very hard to behave normal when you are 18 yrs old and can afford Bugatti and a Maserati, players salaries aren’t private anymore females who fall in love with their eyes knows this, and give extra attention. It’s hard to behave old school when you got everything at finger tip. Sometimes when i see the lifestyle of JW age group in America, i become very sad. Its not their fault, its the system.
I still wonder if clubs are being honest…are these figures being branded real?
How could a player like David Luiz fetch Chelsea 50 mil? A player that wasn’t worth 20 mil even before World Cup? Or is Abramovich footing greater chunk to help Chelsea beat FFP while raiding Athletico?
I think we’ll compete this season ‘IF’ we get a proper DM like Javi from BM. TW and Santi turn up with less injuries.
True Dna.
Tai… you cynical man! 🙂
Tai…..imo Luiz is not even worth 14 million.
Technically he is sound. Tactically he is not.
I think we’ll be playing the waiting game in regards to DM. Once the GK(Ospina) is sorted. Wenger will look for a CB replacement IF Verm goes or a Phil Jones swap deal (Can play numerous positions, CB, RB, CDM) Wenger loves versatility. He will try and nab a bargain in the last week of the TW. I hope Javi Martinez becomes available. He’s exactly what we need and he too can deputize at the back.
Sanchez was funded by money from Vela, Fab, Wages off the books and our cash pile
Jones would be free if we were to do a swap deal
The only real expenditure here is Debuchy, Ospina and CDM (Martinez) Total spend 50-60m
I doubt J.Martinez will become available as Pep has said Javi will be deployed similarly to how BM legend Mattias was played next season
Hollande vs Cameron is one battle I will be keeping one eye on…. lol
i think we,ve been hoodwinked by the sanchez transfer, we all thought “this is it,at last wenger is goin to spend big and bring in great players, but all he,s done since then is buy to replace players because he has to, Tight git, Wont hold me breath for any more world class players this season. And for the goalie situation, I think he,d pull out of that and put monreal in goal if he could get away with it. Hope i,m wrong.
Dunga new Brazil coach.
Their you go again Tai ..you can’t stop mentioning him.
Lets be fair mate…you don’t have a scooby.
Any thing that little midget maureen says ..Take with a pinch of salt mate.
super appointment..
i love me a Dunga.. a proper DM
Kev, Liked the look of that lad your mentioned..Willets he looked a better prospect than his brother..on that showing.
Dev, was he the one who insisted on taking Gilberto to the world cup?
😀 DublinG
BBC Arsenal
@BBC_Arsenal
#Arsenal challenge to concert cap: #Arsenal Football Club goes to the High Court in an attempt to double the n…
http://t.co/SCRnBSYCoT
Would world sanctions on Putin affect the little russian chav.
The government/Kingdom of Bavaria on the other hand would give FC Bavaria their full backing and even pay for the legal fees…
Still, sections believe AFc should be like FC Munchen… 🙂
Only if Fred… 😉
Even if Messi had asked for a transfer to Arsenal, it is more than likely the Gunners would be facing a huge transfer fee. Messi has a release clause of £250 million. The year ending May 2013 saw Arsenal reach a turnover of £242.8 million. That was a record for the Gunners and wouldn’t even cover the cost of Messi’s release clause. That’s all the money Arsenal make from player sales to ticket sales right down to the salmon bagel sales.
An unhappy Messi would go for less, but even with Barcelona forced to sell they would only realistically sell for something well over the current world record of £86 million.
Say a deal was agreed—it wouldn’t but bear with me—Messi would still be demanding a wage around double the current highest earner Mesut Ozil. Either Messi agrees to take a paycut, or Arsenal fork out and pay him over £300,000-a-week. So that would be a long-term contract on around £16 million-a-season.
Imagine: £250 million transfer fee, five-year £16 million-a-season deal (£78 million in total). That’s a total bill of £328 million. In perspective, the Emirates Stadium cost £390 million to build. lol
Gilberto was loved by many in the Brazil camp Ginge. So it was only natural for him to be taken.
GDNA….release clause of Messi is 197million Euros not 250 English Sterling mate.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Ginge a very thought provoking post so much so I have decided to
get off the fence
I promised myself I would leave it to the young ones to debate the tatics etc and who we should sign in the t/w.
But after seeing some of the comments made about Arsenes statement that he would not be bringing a c/f I thought I would add a little logic ( in my opinion) to the debate.
Last season our squad contained 17 f/players the max allowed.
When the season finished Flappy Viviano Kallstrom Sagna and Park all left putting Arsene in the position where he could bring in 5 new players without having to sell.
This is the first season since the introduction of the 25 man squad rule that he has been in this position,and I think he is taking full advantage of it.
The arrival of Sanches and Dubuchy and Arsene saying I will bring in a G/K for sure leaves space for 2 more f/p. If he gives one of these to J/C there is only one space left to fill. So what is he going to do,
a d/m or c/f which most of you say we need?
As I see it there 2 other ways he can go .
First move JC on creating another space, or keep Ginge happy and bring in Morgan, who happens to be a home produced player.
I fully expect Arsene to wait untill the Emms Cup to fully decide just who departs and who stays.
This is how I see it.
Rick,
Good point. I’m of the belief he will actually wait longer. He will see how the start of the season pans out before he truly makes his mind up. We’ve got the play the waiting game.
Although it’s cruel we have to hope Diaby has a minor reoccurrence of an old injury lol. Surely this would force Wenger into a CDM signing?
Dev, “GDNA….release clause of Messi is 197million Euros not 250 English Sterling mate”
I didn’t write that article, i only post it because i thought this portion was funny. “Imagine: £250 million transfer fee, five-year £16 million-a-season deal (£78 million in total). That’s a total bill of £328 million. In perspective, the Emirates Stadium cost £390 million to build”
Nothing forces Wenger into anything bar that 8 – 2 bashing! So, Nickie, reverse ur prayer for Diaby.
Rick, I’m almost certain JC is coming home. He will fight it out with Sanogo who becomes OG’s deputy …they may start together in Capital One Cup games.
And it’s not beyond Wenger to gamble till last day of transfers or completely jettison a DM, telling us we still got Flamini, Arteta, Diaby etc.
When you know Wenger, then you’ve known a guy who never does the things others believe he should.
AFCPressWatch™
@AFCPressWatch ·
Sánchez will link up at some point next week and he could get his first run-out in Arsenal’s colours in the Emirates Cup. #AFC #Colombia
Devil 3.00 / 10 / 23,
I have a similiar dislike of the Maltese youth of today, morons.
They make me wanna vomit (not all of them, don’t get me wrong)
They should be caned on their arses until they bleed, not sure that would cure their audacity and thick headedness.
I know of some level headed ones but the majority give me the feeling of nausea and fail to realise they are plain stupid dumb arses.
Of course stupid people will never realise how stupid they are.
No offense but I hope I don’t come across as some sort of Bigot.
Evening folks, have we signed anyone…? 😉
No it’s all gone quiet over here.
Evening Rico .
Yes we have. A german midfielder named Spanodakis from Barca,
.
He is even playing for the U18 at Lincoln.
Fred, I must confess that I have not seen Willock play, but Jeorge Bird gave him a great write up.
Also, Arsenal fought off strong interest in him from ManUre this summer, so I know that he is highly rated.
It’ll liven up Potter…
Evening Rick, who? 😉
Depending on how my work goes Saturday, I might have a run up to Harrow Borough to see how the U21’s get on…
If I do Rico, i’ll do ya a post.
Yep Rick, I think it’s the U18’s at Lincoln tonight…
Careful Kev, Ts will knock you for suggesting that after his Ashley Young comment.. 😉
Rico
Georgios Spanodakis German born with greek ancestry.
Started with eintracht youth acadamy and joined Barca in 2009.
German youth international. This was only announced this evening came out of the blue
U18 winning 1-0 new player Sheaf with direct freekick.
How are you following the match Rick , I can’t find anything on .com
Who is Spank-your-Kakis Rick??
Did we really nab him of Barca???
Non tackling game Kev he played on the left,as he is right footed he kept breezing inside.Wenger likes him.
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/arsenal-sign-german-midfielder-spanoudakis-from-barcelona/
So it would seem.
Rico, do I have a comment in spam?
Got some eggs on the menu again this evening. 😀
Fred, looks like Donovan stayed after all….
rico, sailing too close to the wind !
Not seen him kev.
Last job outta Paddington, then home for me.
Lata
Evening its been manic on here today what’s it going to be like when we get to aug 31. 😀
It seems the general consences is we need a DM player will see not sure Arsene likes that kind player.
Seems that Southampton want Gnabry on loan for next season. Could be an in for Schneiderlin.
Thanks Rick for your objective input..
I think my flirting with the dark side has lost me an ally in Scott 😉
Micko, whats the fun in life if you dont gamble a bit? Airliners taking off with cargo doors opened and alll.. 🙂 ha ha
🙂 Rico you are mastering the subtle Micko style digs…
tsgh, if schneiderlin arrives you’ll gonna be unlivable !!!
thanks Potter. that was some good info on Spank-your-Kakis 😉
🙂 Micko… you are strong enough to handle my”I told you so”- Micko. 😛
We talked about this today…….
http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/arsenal-and-tottenham-hotspur-interested-in-wantaway-brazilian-35248/?
……where he will fit in has me scratching my head.
It must be said though, it is always nerve-wracking to submit a post on here…
for unskilled writers like myself it appears posts can be misconstrued by some readers for whatever reasons …
Hats off to kev and co. who regularly contribute for us to have something to ponder over…
Dev.. as I say NN always read HH and make up stuff…
You did well , I don’t think i could do it. I write like Gerrard plays football , I have difficulty stringing two passes ( sentences ) together.
Hi Potter Sorry for the delay to your 8.19
To be honest I just do not know how I found it, it was the Lincoln Imp
forum. Some guy called Steve was twitten(is that right) up dates and I found it at the start of the second half.There were no updates untill the end final score 1-0. How ever he stated Lincoln were much bigger more physical but gunners much the better side . there were 1,450 spectaters.
Seems strange though Rick ,I couldn’t even find squad information for the U18s on the official site. Maybe I don’t know where to look.
Potter- My Mrs just read the post and her first comment was ”its negative I thought you adored AW?”
Sorry guys, a friend popped by – idiot! 😉
Thanks Rick, I must keep up with the younger players…
Micko – I’m after a place in the team for 2016…
oyyy Potter.
Ginge wants some cuddling and praise. He knows how to write. And he knows that he writes it well. 😛
Read between the lines amigo.
Pulling your leg Ginge.
You know that you are a good writer.
But well done.
Kev, they must be the last… 🙁
Rico if a friend is an idiot then i wonder how you will describe my stats to fido and your chickens? 😀
lol Dev… not at all mate…
😀 Potter, gerrard is going to be given the keys to Liverpool soon… he is a leg-end
Gents and Rico of course,do you know if Djourou is staying or going?
I’m in holydays but I’m very concern about our squad
hi Jm… what religious day is that? 😛
Joking mate…
Where are you on holidays JM?
I miss Cascais
Illaremendi is the latest link?
Biggest shock this window!
Bojan has gone from Barca to Stoke.
Did Djourou sign a ten-year deal. Doesn’t his contract ever expire?
Rick, did you hear anything about an attitude problem, regarding Gnarby, towards the end of last season?
Illaremendi is the latest link?
Is that the Isco kid ?
For you kev..
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/22/article-2701114-1FDC0B8E00000578-292_634x962.jpg
Dev even…
Potter. No the CDM RM signed for £20m+ who did not get a look in…
It looks like with Kroos and Alonso and possibly Khedira staying he wants out…
we inquired before he moved to RM last summer…
Ts, your wife has you well sussed…lol
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/18/article-0-1FBF583E00000578-813_634x618.jpg
At 38 y.o I wonder why Cesc performance have taken a denilson style nose dive… lol
ha ha Bt…
I am yet to see Bt and Micko on at the same time… 2+2 is giving me… lol
Potter here is a video of Asier..
Now Asier is a player I wouldn’t mind replacing MA08…
An AW type of playmaker/no.6.
He is better defensively than BM’s Thiago
Spreads the play well but very right footed in that clip. What did Real Circus pay for him.? and how much now?
Real Madrid paida fee of €32.2 million for him last summer..
Asier and Thiago Alcantara were the main Spain stars expected to replace Xavi and Iniesta apparently…
French media going mental with Cavani failing to turn up for training today…
Snap any info?
BT your 9.46
No I did not hear anything. But there seems to be something not right with him. Was he really injured .There is an interview with him on Arsenal.com talking about going to New York. He looks very subdued, not his normal self.
Öh Santi Cazorlaaaa @GoonerJenkoo · 5h
Wow, Just met Reus while I was shopping with Mum, he told me he should be an Arsenal player soon.
This is guy is the best after Malaga Gooner… 😀 😀
JM, don’t be, there’s a long time to go yet… 😉
Ts, get off twitter! 😉
Night Rico, Rick, Potter and all.
Scott keep an eye on Bt… lol
😀 Rico…
Night Ts…
I’m off too… Night all..
Rick, it was something i read, at the end of last season, AW wasn’t impressed with his attitude in training/general not sure which. It’s a bit strange.
For all those wondering about Djourou he is a Hamburg player….!
he looked very unfit Bt, probably his effort in training.
Ts, night mate, from the “dark side”….lol
Nickie, Gnarby?
Morning those still awake.
Just read back…..some of the crap you guys out up from twitter is absolute brilliant.
I know I get a smile out of it 🙂
Go back to sleep Scott, you know you wanna 🙂
Night All Its been a long day .
It would have been nice to have bought a proven goalscorer to compliment Sanchez, but I can understand why Arsene hasn`t. There seems to be plenty of goals in the team, and remember, without the crippling injuries to Ramsey and Walcott, last season`s campaign would probably have seen us challenging right to the death.
A top quality DM is a must, but I worry that now Arsene has got the nearest thing to Suarez on the market this summer, he is prepared to let things take their course, without being as proactive as he ought.
Wath, you’re alive.
Did you get my email?
Morning Scott, Rico and all
Micko you must have arranged for this photo opportunity…
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/19/article-2698495-1FCBC4E500000578-744_634x590.jpg
Morning All,
Seems Mourinho has taught Fabregas lies…
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/724744950?-11203:5805
Morning Ts, Tai and all…..
So Abramovich bought Chelsea for £140m in 2003. £100m less than Real Madrid paid for Ronaldo, James and Bale.
How are RM still able to send more than 60% of some of the world’s poorer GDP every year?
Hi Rico
poorer nations*
Morning all ….. its great to be alive amidst all the troubles and disasters in world.
That particular bubble of RM and the ones created by the likes of Shitty and Chavs will burst one day or another Ginge. Dont worry. It will all escalate and one day it will blow.
Its like an ever increasing star which build up….then explode….and creates a black hole.
Life is all cycles. They seem to have no end. But they do end.
Good Morning lovely doves and eagles.
according to stats Arsenal have signed 63 players since 2008 for a combined total of £239m. Ronaldo, James and Bale cost £228m.
AW’s net spend is less than £60m… Amazing imo…
Morning Bondex and Dev
indeed Bondex
Le Prof will be appreciated in 20 years time.
Maybe when AFC are spoken in the same breath as RM/Barca/BM are spoken now.
Maybe he would be credited with being the person who laid the foundations for a Monster Club in World Football.
His financial prowess is second to none.
Morning All,
Hard to imagine Fab in a chav shirt Tai,
my nephew regarded Fab the best player he has seen.
I spoke to Liam Brady in Cardiff for the chelsea final,he was sitting a couple of seats from me,I told him…..
Liam you were the best player that I have seen playing for us,till Paddy came along,he agreed with me.
I said when you left it felt like someone had died.He just smiled.
As Fab said when he left us,
I keep having this recurring dream and waking up in a sweat,
……….My number 4 shirt on Ramsey’s back………………..
So you young fans,someone will come along thats for sure.
The refusal of Brazilian forward Douglas Costa to return to Shakhtar Donetsk has put Arsenal and Tottenham on alert.
The Daily Express reports that the two north London clubs are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation after he admitted he doesn’t want to go back to Donetsk “because of the volatile state of the Ukraine”.
Instrumental in helping Shakhtar win their fifth successive Ukraine Premier League title last season, the Brazilian has four years left on his contract and the Express says as a result a “permanent deal is unlikely” at this stage. But a one-year loan deal might be the best way for Shakhtar to manage their unsettled sharpshooter and Arsenal and Tottenham are both being linked with a short-term move for the youngster.
Read more: http://www.theweek.co.uk/football/premier-league/59608/arsenal-and-liverpool-eye-loan-deals-for-costa-and-manquillo#ixzz38HHao5eF
Nice one fred… Ramsey was always the best… considering he was a winger before Aw converted him to CM…
Can’t disagree with that at all Dev.
Finally, BBC Sport reports that Stoke City have signed Bojan Krkic from Barcelona on a four-year deal. The 23-year-old striker was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe and even won a cap for Spain in 2008. But he spent last season on loan at Ajax and has been signed for an undisclosed fee. “Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting,” said Potters boss Mark Hughes. ·
I do not know why but Hughes reminds me of Goonie. Maybe something to do with excitement and kreaming in his pants???
Re. Cesc as I was saying about our egos/pride the other day…
It may make us feel good that we turned down Cesc but the truth may be somewhee in-between…
Cesc was always a snake; I tend not to like worshiping snakes if I can help it. 😛
Arsenal will open formal talks with Catania today over a potential deal for highly-rated full-back Gino Peruzzi, according to reports.
Boss Arsene Wenger appears in the market for another right-back to act as understudy to Mathieu Debuchy and we were strongly linked with a loan move for Atletico Madrid’s Javier Manquillo last week.
However, that deal has since stalled and the Spaniard looks set for a move to Liverpool instead with reports today claiming the Merseysiders have agreed a one-year loan deal with the option to make the move permanent.
It looks like we’ve quickly moved on to other targets and reports in Italy last week suggested we had made contact with Catania to enquire about their highly-rated right-back Gino Peruzzi.
It’s understood Wenger has offered £1m to take the 22-year-old on an initial season-long loan with the option to make the deal permanent next summer if things work out, but Catania would prefer a straight cash deal this summer.
But it appears the two clubs are willing to see if a compromise can be found as the Metro claim that the Italian clubs president has flown over to London and is due to hold face-to-face talks with Arsenal officials today.
Peruzzi has just come off the back of a fine season with Catania but is expected to leave the club after their relegation to Serie B. He’s highly-rated in Italy and has 4 caps for Argentinean under his belt, so he could prove to be a shrewd purchase from Wenger is we can get a deal agreed.
However, the search for a new back-up right-back has cast doubts over Carl Jenkinson’s future at the Emirates and although there has been talk of a permanent move to West Ham, I hope that if he does leave it’s only on a short-term basis.
Tai, I bet deep down Cesc is gutted…
Morning Devil, Bondex, Fred…
What counts is not what venom he spouts. What counts is the reality that Cesc knows deep down in his tarnished self esteem.
The mouth says many things.
The heart speaks a lot more.
And the rejection he will feel deep inside will affect him much more.
Unwanted by Barca. Unwanted by Arsenal.
What now for him??
Time will tell us lots of things.
Great business by Wenger through some hard times
Morning all,
Sorted Rico 😉 hehe just a problem loading up the old post from yesterday
Gino Peruzzi.
Just a thought, this guy can play right wing, perhaps that’s where AW will play him…
E’r Ts..Don’t mind a cobra with a ruby ,now and again,again
Morning Nickie, I was a bit slow I know… oops.. 😉
Neither do I fred, more than one actually… 😉
HOME IS WHERE YOU ARE LOVED!
Which Arsenal player has left acrimoniously without paying the prize?
Alex Hleb went to Bracelona at a time Arsenal needed him so much to try another shot at the title after coming close a couple of seasons with an unforgettable sexy-playing midfield of Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky, Hleb…Hleb left and ultimately ended his career and granted a confession..
Flamini followed suit to AC Milan and never played for France ever after! Emmanuel Adebayor left as reigning African footballer of the year and never got into Africa’s top 10 again! Samir Nasri followed Ade’s footsteps and missed the World Cup at his prime! Robin van Persie left and for the first time since he arrived in England will miss European football! Alex Song did same and has the horrible elbow attack on an opponent’s back in Brazil and the subsequent red card as his only ‘improvement’ since he left.
Now, Fabregas! Could anything be worse than being booed by your own ‘home’ fans as the major reason of their recent woes? Fabregas did the right thing to come back home to Arsenal…because home is not where you were born…home is where you are loved. But he came late…Arsenal isn’t a charity organization…they are into business and don’t buy players they do not need just to cover the player’s earlier mistakes.
Cesc could have done the honourable of looking outside England and still retained the love of people from his ‘real’ home. But he decided to go to cultivate with the worst enemy, thereby losing that love, the only genuine love he ever had. He still should have done that and kept quiet…but then, somebody, known for his loquacious flapping, has just introduced him to attempts to infuriate those great lovers even more. He certainly won’t be an exception …regret will follow him even more precariously that others before him. Yes, because he was loved most…and he’s the first to throw stones at us.
Let us face this………When he was at AFC, Spain were on the top. He had an aura of arrogance around him. That endeared him to us.
He left because he wanted the club of his boyhood dreams. We accepted that and we felt the loss.
His move turned sour. He flitted in and out of the Barca team. He was used as a filler by the Spanish national boss.
He became unwanted at Barca. He turned to AFC. He was not required.
Then came the Spanish collapse……and he was going to begin a game…..when suddenly VDB turned against him and changed his plans.
No player is bigger than the manager or club.
The once arrogant aura now diminished………..and only the arrogance remained.
We wait and see.
Morning Rico
Excellent Tai…
🙂 fred
Tai, I think he was told where to go by his wife/girlfriend. Apparently she insisted on London…
I may be wrong about Fab but,
His reasons for coming back to england,were not about money or football.
He discovered what was in his Yfronts,and followed her over.
Sorry rico
I checked on the profile of Gino Perruzi immediately I saw the news yesterday and was quite impressed…especially that well-reported duels with Neymar where he kept the Brazilian quiet on two occasions in club football and once at national team level.
I haven’t watched him but from what I read, even Debuchy would be looking seriously over his shoulders if we got Perruzi…
Problem is, I don’t want CJ to leave either permanently or on loan. Jenks loves the club and such players should be encouraged…I hope this news turns up like many others before it – baseless!
🙂 fred, I think I prefer the way you put it…
No sorry needed… lol
To answer your earlier question Rico…..Peruzzi can play as a RB in a 4-3-3, RM in a 4-4-2, Winger in a 4-3-3 and also a wing back in a 3-5-2.
Imo………he would push Debuchy all the way. And unless Jenks becomes a CB than that would be the end of him.
Peruzzi is technical, tactically astute and has hard balls.
What about Bellerin?
There you go then Devil, maybe he is coming to Arsenal but not as a right back…
I can’t see Jenks being sold, I really can’t…
Thanks Ts.
Fab made the worst mistake of any player I ever knew. No football club in the history of the modern game had built a team around a player the way Wenger did Arsenal around Fabregas…
And I doubt any where in the football world where a player was loved more by the club fans as Arsenal fans did adore Fabregas…no ‘home’ was worth that empire!
He needed just one season at Barca to realize he missed his way…but he waited for three seasons…waited until Barca and their fans lost patience and waited till Wenger and Arsenal moved on!
The thing is Cesc could have come last summer if he wanted to….
Why did DD and co tolerate bids from Yanited last season whilst AW was being told he would give it one more year.
Note Yanited also missed out on transfer targets like us because of Cesc…
Just a side note,he iscurrently earning £200k a week… £50k more than he was earning at Barca so I am still not sold money did not play a part in his decision making…
Tai, Ginge and Rico…….like you I love Jenks. And honestly I want him to succeed.
But……..I love AFC more than any player. So for us to be top that means we have to buy players who will increase our competitiveness. And if better players are available than we have to get them. No room for sentiment.
Maybe Rico is right. Peruzzi may come as a RW. However ask yourself this question……can Jenks fill in more than RB/CB?? Can he offer us a player on the right wing? Can he play as a wing back in a 3-5-2?
The answer is no.
So the only way he will stay is if he works at becoming a CB who ca fill in as RB occasionally. And to acquire that he needs to be loaned so that he can play.
I would prefer it if he was loaned to an Italian club or a German one. There they would teach him tactics as well.
Ginge…..every time a player says that he did not go to Chavs/Shitty?PSG/Monaco because of the money I get the feeling his brain and tongue are in his arse.
Morning Rico and all. Loyalty has become a purchasable commodity. I wouldn’t be surprised if a bonus for ‘expressed loyalty’ doesn’t become part of player’s contracts soon. If it isn’t already that is.
Reading below it appears Cesc has a habit of bending the truth when it suits him…
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/427143/Cesc-Fabregas-I-would-not-join-Manchester-United-even-if-they-offered-to-double-my-salary
He had for 3 years insisted he took a pay cut to join Barca records which I posted on here a few weeks back shows he was earning more…
Other articles claim he waivered some of his salary and signing on fee to finance the Barca transfer.
To Barca officials he was always theirs and on secondment to us… they only initially bid £15m for him…
Dev,
Who doesn’t want quality players coming in but my approach to football issues is – loyalty is a two-way stretch…Jenks hasn’t done badly to shift him on.
As long as Jenks stays without being loaned out and fights with everyone with who plays where…he’s welcome.
But while we’re at it, let’s run our minds back to very incisive comment by Rick late yesterday…senior team quota…we have just two slots left, we haven’t got a DM yet…so what sense in giving away that slot to a back up? And for your information, Jenks is very important in this regard – home grown!
🙂 Dev so true…
Nasri has been trying to convince himself he only joined the wasteland club for trophies… anytime a mic is placed before him he has to justify why he is at city.
Before Pelle’ joined City he and his agent were also orchestrating for a move back… so what changed then?
The moment Pelle’ arrived he changed his tune and said Pelle was exactly like AW….
We’ll soon see what happens with Jenks and a few others I guess, only 40 odd days left of this transfer window… 😉
Devil. I believe that Chelsea are the perfect destination for any number of today’s players. Despite Arsenal becoming a somewhat soulless entity under Stan’s money-grabbing stewardship they are almost delightfully old-fashioned compared to Chelsea. This is a club where the players get drunk and abuse Americans on 9/11. A club where the charming captain has an affair with a team mate’s partner and sees nothing wrong with getting drunk in a night club and urinating from a balcony on those below. I can think of quite a few players who would feel happy at a place like that with a manager like that. They are presumably paying Cesc lots of money and his beau will be close to the shops too. Seems perfect to me.
Arsenal represent something of yesterday though when Wenger goes in about 20 years, that will change I imagine.
Morning Adam..
Could say the money was compensation for doing what he did not want to do.
Hi guys….how’s things?
Sorry for not being on too much of late, but lots happening which will soon be sorted.
Maybe I should apologise for the fact I’ll be hassling you all more soon 🙂
When your wife looks like your Dad, you are bound to have the hump.
‘For my information’ is not a polite way to say to someone who you do not know Tai. At least in our parts that is not acceptable. We are discussing not trying to ram something down people’s throats.
I wonder if that language is used in film making Tai?
But I agree with you regarding the home grown rule.
Ts,
My belief is that Fab felt gutted being turned back by Wenger, then saw a chance at getting back at Le Prof and took less than 20 minutes to agree to get back at a man who ‘fathered’ him for eight long years.
I believe you – he’s a snake, a viper at that!
I am with you Tai re. 2 way street.
We cans can be disrespectful to players like CJ25, Frimps, yennaris though they might not be Cafu or Dunga and then a few months later label those who decide to jump ship as traitors imho…
Milan, Barca, Ajax and BM have always had a core of very average home grown players in their squad. those players eventually become legends. Note Gattuso was so bad he was loaned to the SPL.
Maldini was initially average at CB but because he was a Milano true and true he was shifted to LB for him to develop further learning from Baresi.
Pep was converted from a slow winger to DM so he can stay…
So far as the players have the humility and patience to stay lets give them a chance imho…
That is why I can’t forgive Aw for not giving Aneke any chance… but then again I am on the sidelines making judgements. Aw may know best!
To believe the 20 minute claim seems naive to me. Anyway it would be unwise to fan Mourinho’s ego by assuming to be anything other than the ratings of a rather small sociopath.
20 years…. 🙂 Adam.
Most probably Potter…
Its all opinions really so….
All i heard way before the media even suggested he might be available was Cesc was never coming back.
I’m not here to annoy anybody or create enemies, Dev…or I’ll simply walk away.
From my own part of the globe, I didn’t use any foul language.
As per being used in filmmaking, yes…and I’ll add it for this measure to the script I’m presently writing!
Rico. That’s what it is beginning to feel like to me. 🙂
We are rather like the Old Time Music Hall these days.
Back in man’s early days of language I can imagine that, once there was no news about which animal had been slaughtered by whom, they started to make up stories. Thus, journalism was born and contention began.
Ginge…..I have never criticized any home grown player and find it impossible to do so and loathe anyone who criticizes them. Infact I have the utmost respect and you can say love for those who did not make it at AFC. And believe me…..I wanted Frimps to succeed. I wanted Yennaris to do so as well. They were home grown and loved the club. I still chuckle when I think of how Nasri was treated by Frimps and how the latter relished in doing so. That day Frimps became a legend of the club IMO.
But, and this is a big BUT, a super club cannot have any sentiment with that regard.
You know I do not speak with the heart of a supporter. Maybe my life experiences and team building background do affect me in this regard.
The worst experiences in my life were not the defeats. It was telling kids that they will not make it at the top level. And believe me….it is very hard telling it to the parents. It is bloody harder telling it to kids. The abuse I got from parents I could accept.
The tears in the boys’ eyes I could not stomach.
I always cut a bit of slack for people that are not using their native language ,because I have made so many mistakes myself. I suspect that Tai is thinking in his own language and that’s often where the nuance changes when translated to another. Unless he comes out and abuses directly ,I wouldn’t worry about it. After all we let Scott off with lots of things too.( joke ! )
Ok Tai…..accepted.
but in our area……telling someone FYOI is simply bordering on an argument. So now you know.
And dont walk away. life would be boring without you on this blog and for you without us. 😉
Totally agree Dev.. that post above was not aimed at you honest…
Just making a general point really…
On most other sites the general concensus is that we do not need an academy…
Most people believe money WASTED on the academy can be used to finance already made stars…
Adam 10.25 . That’s the basis of religion , adapt the stories to subjugate the masses.
aye Potter. We do let Scott. And Goonie as well for that matter. we whack him and he whacks us back.
but all in good banter. And lets be honest. We do enjoy whacking each other!!!!
that is until the Geriatrics wade in…. 😛
Potter. True.
I myself remember every slight and insult and never forgive.
Adam……that is the stuff of legends mate. How George slew the dragon.
Incidentally……the journalist who invented it…..was he slaughtered in the press???
🙂 Adam, I get where you are coming from…. lol
Hi Scott/Potter…
Depends who he played for. Black or white prince.
10.29 potter, you and me both…
New post up now..
Hi Scott… hope all is sorted soon…
Ok, Dev…no hard feelings. Hope I’m permitted to use that…
I just love this place….