It's official at last! Guardiola wants Arsenal talks and yet again, the Higuain deal has been done….

Morning all,

After all the ‘new kit revealed’ headlines, yesterday the club confirmed and released the new away kit and I for one, think it’s stunningly good!

Awesome.....
Awesome…..

What a picture that is…

Funny how all the first team British players are the ‘chosen ones’….. Wonder how many people will criticise Arsenal, an English club for doing that….

The last time I saw an away kit as good as this was back in 2003/04, yes, that famous season, let’s hope it brings back more than just happy memories……

Happy Days.....
Happy Days…..

Those days aren’t far away in my opinion, we have the base of a very very good squad.

Goose bumps??
Goose bumps??

Some may think I am deluded by suggesting that but what we witnessed as he season came to end end just a few months ago confirmed that players can dig deep, they can grind out a victory and sometimes not necessarily by playing beautiful football and as Theo Walcott says:

It is quite frustrating at times, because we should have done that at the start of the season, who knows where we would have been.

We need to remember those moments that we had and make sure we do it from the start, because we could be challenging for anything. We could beat anyone.

We want that sort of fear factor, especially at the Emirates.

We now know that the players we already have, has what it takes to win and after a good pre-season, more hard work by the current players and coaching staff and we ‘should’ at least, carry on from where we left off.

The addition of Yaya Sanogo may not excite some fans, but he’s scoring goals for his country right now and he’s staying fit, so already we are a little stronger up front.

Our transfer window proper hasn’t even opened, so let’s not write it off before it’s begun….

We all think we know what we want, but for me it’s more important for Gazidis and Law to make sure we sign who we truly need and for me there is a difference.

For me that need is a top goal scorer, keeper and a defensive/holding midfielder and from there, replace any player who leaves. bonus…

On day ten of the transfer window, I’m not quite ready to believe that we won’t get what we need but I very much doubt that we will all get what we want…

That’s life!

In the gossip pages:

Suarez has reportedly asked his agent, Pere Guardiola, to find out more about Arsenal’s intentions and whether they are willing to improve the £30million offer that was rejected by Liverpool last week.

John Cross of the Daily Mirror reckons the deal for Higuain is done, well that’s what he’s told Talksport this morning and someone somewhere reckons we have offered £1.5 million for Cesar…..

In other words, no signing today… yet..

Finally, The Ashes series kicks off today, hope it’s a great one too…..

Have a great day all….

0 thoughts on “It's official at last! Guardiola wants Arsenal talks and yet again, the Higuain deal has been done….

  1. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning all.

    “Those days aren’t far away in my opinion, we have the base of a very very good squad.”

    Not a truer word spoken. If we know that, then so do the club.

  2. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Clement Grenier had talks with Lyon on Monday. According to press reports, nothing has been decided although L’Equipe are mentioning a possible 2-year extension.
    He knows Arsenal have tabled a bid, and that if he signs he will get game time. Maybe he’s the next Pires?

  3. rico says:

    Morning Syg and all…

    I think for many years we have had that but before we have sold players who stand out like Cesc, RvP etc etc.

    This summer there have been no sales other than who most of us wanted gone anyway…

    Of course a smart Alec will suggest that is because our layers are average but that’s poppycock.

    I am taking he words of IG to be honest and he made us all a promise and he needs to full-fill that promise…

  4. wenger says:

    Won’t matter an inch. We’ll buy decent players but put them on the bench because shit players like chamberlain, jenkinson and ramsey need game time because of their passports. When we fall 9-12 points behind in the race for 4th, that’s when proper players like TR7 will get game time and string a good run to get us 4th.

  5. potter says:

    Life is a see-saw , today optimism is up , yesterday it was at the bottom . We just have to wait to see where we are tomorrow.

  6. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lol.
    The “Arsenal want Suarez” and “Arsenal bid £30M for Suarez” stories will make everyone sit up ….. Grenier, Fellani, Cesc included…
    Suarez is world class and Premiership proven and despite his conduct on the field; he unlike Rooney is a player on the up.

  7. tsgh says:

    Morning fellow HHers,

    A fine post reflective of the sunny day here…

    SYG, Nastry signed a contract extension 2 weeks before he signed for us…

    Lyon just want a bit more than the £4M we have offered. Those in the know, know Clement was going to be sold to Nice last summer. It was only because Gourchuff got injured that he was given a chance to shine and boy did he shine…

    Its reminiscence of Flamini’s last 2 seasons with us when we tried to sell him off to Birmingham City and then Diaby got injured and the rest was history…

  8. big Erine says:

    We have been here before and I hope it’s not going to be the same as previous seasons – lots of speculation only for us to pull out because we won’t offer a penny more than we have offered and then a lesser player comes in because they are cheaper and spends a lot of time on the bench or gets loaned out 6 months or a year later …… we really need to step up and pay up – come on Arsense get us what we need …..

  9. Scott from Oz says:

    So we have a piss poor excuse of a Wenger and some Gooner from Nigeria who knows it all.
    Why oh why do we have to put out the trash EVERY MORNING???
    Morning fellow HHers……I mean the regulars.
    The blow ins, or blow ‘ards can keep to themselves 🙂

  10. Jerry says:

    I dont see arsenal competing wit d big boys dis season. We r far behind. If arsene wenger & d board r serious of buying us a striker so y didnt dey pay d 23mill for hugain & its was also reported dat we tabled 30mill for saurez. It doesnt add up & it doesnt make sense. Y nt go out & buy d players u need so dat dey will play d pre-season & ve enough time to get accustomed wit dere new team in time for d new season.

  11. tsgh says:

    You are at it again Scott… 😀

    Calm down, you made a killing with your client Mark signing with the ‘special needs one’ 😛

  12. JSP2303 says:

    @Wenger:
    Are you mad mate, Chamberlain shit….I think you have hit your head on something and are talking bollocks. TR7 is out injured way too often to be relied upon and Chamberlain is head and shoulders above him. I liked what I saw of Jenkinson last season and he got some good write ups when he played.
    Sorry mate but you are a grade 1 idiot!

  13. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Adam – cheers mate.

    Gonalons staying with Lyon another season…. “To win things ….”
    I think he’s being a trifle optimistic with PSG and Monaco spending like drunken sailors …

  14. tsgh says:

    Wenger… are you being serious? I was thinking you are entitled to your opinion until you mentioned TR07 (btw everyone on heree knows he is my fave player in the squad).

    But my point is since the 2007-2008 season TR07 has never been fit or ready for pre-season so your argument falls short there… imho

    This is the first time in 5 years he is not injured but he has not kicked a ball in anger so fingers crossed…

  15. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Ginge … hiya Scott…
    Great kit by the way …. It looks awesome if not invincible …

  16. Adam says:

    Scott. I wouldn’t criticise him myself as a Prince from his country is transferring me £36 million after I sent my bank details.

  17. rico says:

    Potter, that’s why everyones view is important, not many things in life are black or white..

    Morning Adam..

    Thanks Ts, I think the sun is helping me to keep my hopes up…

  18. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The Real Madrid to gazump Arsenal for Suarez stories are all over the Spanish press … I think the Sun is the catalyst for the reports ..

  19. Nigeriangooner says:

    Scott… I guess u are#livingTheDream# way to go bro. What a babbling band of baboons we have here this morning.

  20. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Now if I’d have said that to you Nigerian G you would be going fcukng apeshit ….. Code of Conduct – we all want the same end thing on here.

  21. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam, your 10.19 is the post of the year.
    I literally laughed out loud, and nearly pissed myself while rolling on the floor.
    Fekking classic…….

  22. Scott from Oz says:

    Syg, well said…..
    Nigerian……i have nothing else to say to you champ….nothing.
    Rico, he got a gig, hey??
    He will destroy your boys…..maybe lol

  23. Nigeriangooner says:

    Yeah yeah rico. At least its pathetic#just some rumours in the gossip part;nothing realistic#

  24. tsgh says:

    Hey Nig_gooner… wetin dey happen now.
    whats all this wahala… take a chill pill bro…

    I am beginning to wonder if you are a spuddie or a chav with your first post.

  25. rico says:

    😆 Adam, chalk me down for the 70th minute, when one goes off for a timely substitution… 😉

    Welcome to those joining HH…

  26. Kengooner says:

    They got me reminescene on the good old days. Lets hope its replica (’13/’14 away kit) brings back the lost glory

  27. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all, well most, Gooners in residence.

    Rico – “…You can’t always get what you want, but if try real hard you’ll get what you need…”.

    I hope today is a bit more civil than yesterday. I read Scott’s first comment and followed his advice, but when I returned things had only degenerated. I didn’t bother to comment. I hope Steve isn’t too badly bruised and will continue to write articles for the House.

  28. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – I thought your 10:08 was a little harsh, but after reading some of the comments following yours, I am forced to agree with you. The anonimity of the internet does allow some people to show their true nature.

  29. tsgh says:

    I am waiting for the’ its AW’s fault that we can’t get rid of B-52′ comment.

    When a player will not make salary adjustments in order to move to a top 6 bundesliga club we know we are in trouble. Who ever is advicing him is clueless. He is young enough to take 30k a week for the next 3 years… re-establish himself and move to a bigger club his ego thinks he should be playing for in future…

    B-52 is the one who has chosen not to play for us a gain because in his works RVP was selected instead of him in the CC final… he had forgotten he missed a glorious chance in Camp Nou to take us through the next stage…

  30. rico says:

    I reckon so Adam..

    Morning Cg…

    Steve will be fine I’m sure …

    I just wish people could debate without feeling the need to add insults…

  31. Scott from Oz says:

    CG, it is just a common occurrence for the first hour or so, especially of late.
    Still, i will never be accused of diplomacy 🙂

  32. rico says:

    Ts, I don’t know why we don’t just cancel his contract like we did Denilson. Guess NB won’t agree to that happening and cares more for the money than actually playing football…

  33. Canadian Gooner says:

    tsgh – Good Morning to you. I trust all is well with you, other than the transfer market that is?

  34. Scott from Oz says:

    Yesterday…as you touched on, Cg…..i knew how i would react to some of these attacks on Steve and HH, so just pulled the pin for a while.
    I am learning….slowly.
    Adam, i know as well as you do it is all Rico’s fault…..she stirs the pot alright 🙂

  35. W.A.T.H says:

    I also think its AW’s fault we can’t get rid of that overpaid overhyped Bendtner that AW raved about…!

    😀

    Morning All apart from some delusional twat in Nigeria…!

  36. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – NO! We have never been able to accuse you of unbridled bouts of diplomacy. We are in the same boat there, just ask my kids.

  37. pryce says:

    Good morning everyone,the big advise I always give regarding Arsenal transfer this season is PATIENCE,PATIENCE,PATIENCE.

  38. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – The cancellation of Denilson’s contract was by mutual agreement between the player and the club. I don’t know if there was any monetary compensation involved.

    As for Bendtner, unfortunately unrestained bouts of highly inflated egotism are not reasonable grounds for dismissal. He is too self involved to realize that he is wasting his career.

  39. tsgh says:

    Arsenal midfield 4.Some extracts from a post I was intending to submit… but too scared to 😉

    How then, does Ramsey compare with his other midfield competitors?

    In my opinion the three players he should be in direct comparison with are Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. The roles of these four are not always the same but they are, in my opinion Arsenal’s best four central midfield players. In terms of defensive work Ramsey comes off far worse in terms of aerial and ground 50-50’s with the other three all ahead of him in both categories. However only Arteta has a better minutes per tackle figure (28) than Ramsey (29) with Cazorla (50) and Wilshere (52) lagging behind.

    1)None of them can compete with Ramsey’s astonishing successful tackle rate (90.74%) with Wilshere (86.68%) the closest and Arteta (67.78%) extremely disappointing. In fact it is worth pointing out that of all the players across the Premier League to make over 50 tackles no one has a higher success rate than Ramsey. In terms of passing all three play more of their passes forward than Ramsey and equally all three play fewer of their passes backwards.

    2)Nevertheless Ramsey has a higher pass success ratio (89%) than Wilshere (87%) and Cazorla (87%) with Arteta marginally ahead (92%).

    3)In terms of chances created and assists Ramsey still comes a very respectable second and it is the more attack minded Cazorla who takes centre stage. Ramsey has created the same number of chances as Wilshere (32) and more than Arteta (14). It is easy to argue that it isn’t Arteta’s job to create chances in the role he plays but Ramsey’s defensive statistics suggest he is playing a bigger role in Arsenal’s matches than the Spaniard. The Welshman has created more clear-cut chances (5) than Arteta (4) and Wilshere (3) and has a better minutes per clear-cut chances created ratio than both of them.

    4)Cazorla may dominate this section but the former Malaga man’s lack of defensive involvement in comparison to Ramsey demonstrates Ramsey’s all-round capabilities.

  40. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Just read the “interview” with Carl Jenks on Gunnerstown…. straight away, you feel there’s a bond been formed or forming with the Young GB Guns….. reminiscent of Man Utd in the early nineties…. He seems a sound lad….

  41. W.A.T.H says:

    CG, Bendy just happy to be stealing 52k a week off of us….!

    Ts, Go on admit it, Aaron is your love child 😀

  42. W.A.T.H says:

    SYG, Jenks is one of us mate, he bleeds red n white… that group of young guns is what needs to be built on…!

  43. Tonia Reeves says:

    Once again with Arsene and the Board dragging their feet to sign quality players, i doubt if Arsenal will ever win the Premiership again; what a pity!!!

    Gooner 4 Life

  44. tsgh says:

    All is well with me Cg… your comment at 11:06 is spot on..

    Even a part timer at Maccie D can’t just be sacked let just like that alone multi-millionaires with agaents and lawyers and unlimited capabilities to seek redress if the wrong move is made…

    Imagine a player taking AFC to caught for unfair dismissal and breach of trust…

  45. W.A.T.H says:

    Am still in bed Rico why the hell would I wanna get up…? GG in bed with brekkie…. Jeeves is such a top man…!

  46. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – Diplomacy: The art of wispering sweet nothings &/or platitudes in someone’s ear as you screw them and steal their wallet and optionally rape, pillage and plunder their country.

  47. tsgh says:

    WATH, leave me alone… 😀

    I told you Aaron has an Ivorian and Senegal passport… like Ryan Giggs he has African heritage 😛

    caught=court

  48. W.A.T.H says:

    Tonia R, don’t you think that we can hardly accuse the club of dragging their feet 10 days into July….. They have another 7 weeks to complete transfers..! Patience is the key word for now..!

  49. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Tonia. There are a few things in life that are certain, one of which is that Arsenal WILL win the Premier League.
    The question that breeds uncertainty is WHEN?
    Like the post said “We have a good solid set of 15 players”; better than we have had in years. What we are lacking is a few “game changers” (or world class additions).

  50. W.A.T.H says:

    If Aaron has those passports it’s only due to your “mates” in the black hand gang “sorting” him out, next he’ll he dressed in trench coat with dodgy umbrella…! 😉

  51. rico says:

    I realise CG, I meant I don’t think Nik would be prepared to lose his finally years salary which is no doubt, more than any other club would pay him…

    Ts, that’s a shame, don’t know why you didn’t email me your post….

  52. southyorkshiregunner says:

    … when we did have those “game changers” and world class additions in the side …. They were playing with the deadwood we have managed to shift or are now trying to get shut of …..

  53. tsgh says:

    Syg… according to opta stats MF’s 50/50 duel success rate is 41% so when a lot of fans jump on the band wagon and think MF is a certain starter I beg to defer…

    Last season, one of the Belgian’s strongest attributes was his tackling and he ended the season with an impressive tackle success rate of 84.85%. Left battling for possession and unable to win it cleanly, Fellaini is attempting fewer tackles and tackle accuracy has dropped from just under 85% to 77.27%. In terms of interceptions, Fellaini is making less than one per game compared to a rate of 1.7 per game in 2011/12.

    Is that not less than Ramsey’s…?

    Scott send me my cheque for doing your dirty deed for you.. 😛

  54. Scott from Oz says:

    If our bowlers stay healthy, we wll give the series a run…..big if.
    They make Diaby look like he is made of concrete 🙂

  55. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Agreed. If NB52 doesn’t wake up soon, he wont have a career beyond June 30th, 2014.

  56. tsgh says:

    Just my opinions of course, but we only need game changers and those are the Suarez, Cesc, MF, Cabella,Negredo’s of this world.

    We do not need more big game bottlers in the squad. A lot of players hardly make telling contributions to teams.

    Ramsey is consider the same way the AC fans considered Ambrosini in 1996… Edgar Davids was bought and every one thought he would be a sttarter instead of Albertini or Ambrosini… but guess what Davids played only 19 games and moved away to Juve…

  57. tsgh says:

    Ah Cg… Muesli can be coarse; we do not want no President Bush pretzel-like moment do we? Especially for the cyber worlds own walking Oxford dictionary… 🙂

  58. Adam says:

    I do like a decent muesli CG. Though my favourite breakfast is Nasi Goreng with a fried egg on top. At the moment I am eating Brazil nuts while watching the cricket.
    Pol Roger cuvée Winston Churchill always a winner too. 🙂

  59. tsgh says:

    WATH.. when did you move from GG to Pol Rogers… next it will be the reserve Pol Rogers at over £200 per bottle… so this is where our transfer kitty goes.

    I stick to palm wine being an african and all…

  60. W.A.T.H says:

    Rooney, Suarez, Fellaini are but three game changers Ts, There are a few out there if we look hard enough and not all are being looked at by the teams that could or would outbid us. Once Cavani joins Falcao as a done deal I think the domino effect will kick in and things will start to take shape.
    I am with SYG, Grenier reminds me just a little of Bobby P, if only he has half the influence I’d be more than chuffed, he isn’t a pygmy either..!

  61. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I’ve said it before Ginge, stats are there to be manipulated and used to suit the author or the article, and certain things, which can totally change the landscape, are left out ..

    I aren’t knocking you by the way – What you’ve stated is VERY interesting…..

    Arsenal play a totally different game to Everton, and we have a bigger percentage of the play and like a million more passes than most teams, be them sideways, behind or forward…..

    A stat you mentioned recently was about Jesus Navas … which again was interesting … to the stat-man he looks to be a “carried” player with little end product, yet Man City have just chucked a load of money at him….?

    Keep ’em coming…

  62. W.A.T.H says:

    Ts, I am partial to the odd bottle of bubbles…. the Pol NV is a very nice drink, the Vintage is very good and the Churchill is amazing…! If only the transfer kitty subsidized my cellar… It would be full of Salon..!

  63. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Adam says:
    July 10, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Nazi Goring with Egg Goerbals …. Didn’t Basil Fawlty offer the Germans summat like that?

  64. tsgh says:

    WATH… you know Dev rates Pastore. AW rates him too… he is having a hard time playing in a deeper position to accommodate Ibrahimovic…

    K Gameiro and Lavezzi will all be in trouble starting position wise when Cavani moves to PSG..

    Any of those players will truly give us a cutting edge we currently do not have… and that is that we do not have a Ljunberg or Pires going behind opposing defensive lines..

  65. tsgh says:

    SYg… I get your point and that is one reason I did not want to post such…

    But on the other hand, it can be argued that attributes such as tackles won and pass completion… either backwards or sideways can be measured and compared… no matter the team a player is playing in.

    Assists is a different matter I understand; because as an example if CF4 passes a final ball to Sergei Rebrov (GG signing) h will score in 1 in 20 occasions whilst if you replaced Ade Akinbiyi or Heskey with Klinsman or Henry… 1 in 4 times they will score…

    The argument can be complicated by saying that Henry or RVP do not make the same runs as Shevchenko so maybe Henry will not be in that goal scoring position in the first place

  66. southyorkshiregunner says:

    As I said – Ginge – Love it. Keep ’em coming….

    Who are the most mobile players for Arsenal? And how do they compare with others in the PL? xxxx m per game etc

  67. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I saw an article somewhere – forget where re: Yohann Cabaye running over 15km in one game….. Dedicated or headless chicken …?

    Brian Talbot used to leave the field exhausted after games for us. He had a brilliant engine and always gave his all.

  68. tsgh says:

    SYG…. to add to your earlier point… the spuddies paid £17M for Paulinho who is a Brazil national team starter whilst $hitty paid £22M for an older 29 y.o brazillian who does not even make the squad…

    As I said yesterday… and always do… it is about the balance of the team. $hitty can carry the likes of J Navas because they have Ya ya Toure, Kompany, Fernandinho all man mountains.

    We do not have that… if you add J Navas to our midfield of MA08, SC19 we will be over ran like the British SAS and 2 paras over ran the Sierra Leon Westside boys at dawn after they had been partying the night before and getting high…

    As I said MF could be a match changer because of other attributes that include making opposing defenders take us more seriously on set pieces etc… if a team is good on set-pieces, managers tell their players not to concede corner-kicks and free-kicks in dangerous areas. Like teams use to stop throw ins when Delap was catapulting throw-ins at Stoke Rugby FC

    With us teams enjoy conceding corner kicks because they know 99% of the time we will do jack all with it..

  69. bc says:

    Whilst we might have a good base of decent squad one or two injuries and couple of suspensions and we are then dipping into unproven youngsters or the remaining deadwood. Let’s assume we are playing 4231 this is how it currently looks

    Szczesney
    Sagna mertesacker koscielny monreal
    Arteta ramsey
    Walcott wilshire cazorla
    Giroud

    Fabianski vermaelen monreal diaby rosicky chamberlain podolski

    Seeing as 2 of that bench are already set to miss the start of the season that means jenkinson and frimpong are next up. Leaving us with

    Deadwood
    Santos gervinho park chamakh bendtner
    Untried u21s
    Martinez bellerin boateng miquel ormonde-ottewill yennaris aneke olsson eisfeld gnabry afobe sanogo ryo

    I see nothing on those last 2 lists to get excited about and will severley weaken the team. Wenger must at least improve the starting x1 with 3 players, the bench with one or two and a couple more squad players to cover injuries. Also the under 21s have just lost another player (ansah) for almost all of the coming season.

  70. tsgh says:

    I will find the stats for you… it use to be Fletcher and Cabaye but it is now Ramires,Bale, Schneiderlin,Ramsey, Sandro.

    Rooney covered 11 km against us last season… whilst JW covewred 6km… you see why Manure win and we lose the 7% or so that needs to make us champions again… workrate.

    That is why AW rates Schneiderlin

    The laziest is Dimitar Berbatov. It use to be Gary Neville

    Try this one http://www.physicfootball.com/stats.htm

  71. Canadian Gooner says:

    tsgh – There is nothing wrong with statistics as long as they are used correctly. They are a usefull tool in decision making, but must be kept in context and used judiciously. For instance some of the statistics such as successful tackles for the old Tony Adams backline would not have been great. They would often double team the opposing player with the ball. One would put in a challelnge or are tackle to break the ball carriers stride, make him change direction or force him to make a hasty pass. The second player would put in the successful tackle or intercept the errant pass. Bouldy and Adams in particular had that down to a fine art. However the stats for the player of first contact would not have been a true representation of their effectiveness and skill.

  72. tsgh says:

    WATH,
    You know I would… he will cover the ground… something only Ramsey and Sagna do in our squad

    Why are we getting him?

  73. Scott from Oz says:

    I agree with Ginge in workrate.
    It is my pet comment……when our guys work hard in and off the ball, we play very well.
    When they don’t, we don’t.

  74. tsgh says:

    I am with you Cg… that s why I rated Thuram so highyl.. he is the only CB in Europe not to have received a yellow card after playing over 40 games.

    One reason Maldini was respected more than Baresi even though Baresi did the dirty work for the AC team

  75. tsgh says:

    Pirlo got all the glory for AC and is now doing it for Juve and Italy… but Gatusso use to cover 13 km minimum each match day… that is crazy if put in context…

    That was the reason AC Milan got flamini because he had similar work rate but he ended up getting injured and playing RB

  76. W.A.T.H says:

    Khedira, No idea Ts, I’d love him at Arsenal, also has the physical presence as well to handle the rough stuff and carry the team..!

  77. southyorkshiregunner says:

    … any World Class player or player that would improve us WATH…
    I’d settle for five or six …. Dump all the deadwood … supplement the remaining squad players with Eisfield, Gnabry, Bellerin, Miguel, Yennaris … A nice tight squad of 25…

  78. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Kevin Davies signed by Preston North End.
    I was in a box at behind the goal at Blackburn when he had a goal disallowed against us … Awkward player in his day … we won 2-1 – Petit and Anelka

  79. W.A.T.H says:

    Petit, there was a player SY, Now if you could Morph back three players into the current side who were in their prime who would it be…?

  80. rico says:

    Thanks Syg/Wath

    Would any PL club really consider paying £40 million for a player who is missing for that amount of games ??

  81. david says:

    WENGER likes players for chip so expect him to buy the remains after proven players have been purchased. his fortunate to have gotten martasacker at night. but squilasi and park have left the club with free salaries. buy good players now or get dead woods.

  82. tsgh says:

    A bit of both Rico… 😉
    Munian is good but I doubt he is any think but a sqaud player…

    Camacho I rate highly…

  83. tsgh says:

    Re Iker, do we need a left winger who is on the short side? I admit Bilbao are not one of the teams I watch often in la liga so I am open to be convinced otherwise…

  84. Scott from Oz says:

    I say give us Higuain and Cesc and win the league, so give us DB10 and Thierry, same applies 🙂

  85. rico says:

    I thought about Tony Adams, but went for who we could really do with now…

    How about five Wath 😉

    😆 Ts, you must do nothing other than watch football…

  86. LoPo says:

    First ever post fellas; an Arsenal fan from Alabama.

    Why don’t we concentrate on Benteke now? He’s an admitted Arsenal supporter and beast up top. If we could rely so much on Giroud last year, why not Benteke for our future?

  87. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Different players for different era’s…. but these

    Sol Campbell was a major signing and filled the void for the ever injured Adams … He was immense until his personal demons tookover and he threw the home game versus west ham ….

    Ashley Cole was the best left back in the world… Regardless of what people think – if he had have stayed we would have won the League with Adebayor and Eduardo and possibly more thereafter …

    Robert Pires was at one time the best player in the world as was Dennis Bergkamp….

    Ian Wright was the most clinical striker on the planet …. the strange thing was that a lot of the players knew (and said) that they could never win the league with him in the side ….. That’s one for Ginge – our football specialist to pick the bones out of ….

  88. rico says:

    Welcome LoPo – Benteke did say he prayed he cold join Arsenal and Wenger. However, he is now suggesting he’d be tempted to join the Totts..

    Whether their is truth in that I don’t know…..

  89. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “Suarez considered an upgrade on Higuain” …
    “A more elite option…”

    I love the transfer window ….

  90. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Fcuk Benteke…. a mercenary. A tidy forward in a mediocre side. He wants to run before he can walk…. Bony is going or has gone to Swansea for £12M…. £12M is about what Benteke’s “true worth” is …

  91. W.A.T.H says:

    SY, I thought of Wrighty purely cos of the fact he was an amazing poacher goalscorer but TA brings stability and determination and leadership and was one hell of a centre back, Petit balance drive and fight and Dennis well Dennis just brings you the whole package, if you can’t build a team round those three then give up. The players we have would thrive with those three in the team but then thats all about opinion and why we would all probably choose 3 dif players… Typical woman always greedy, I say 3 you want 5…!

  92. tsgh says:

    Look welcome

    Benteke is/was my first choice above all the others.His form for Belgium is good shows big game player…

    His latest showing though….

  93. Scott from Oz says:

    No Benteke for me.
    If he comes out and bangs in 25 goals, he will want to go to Barca.
    The grub should give another season or two to the club who made him.

  94. LoPo says:

    I don’t consider Benteke a mercenary. I simply see him as somebody who feels he is ready for the big stage. No offense to Villa, but they are building with hopes of mid table.

    Benteke seems ambitious. If he was simply greedy, he wouldn’t have submitted a formal transfer request leaving millions behind if dealt.

  95. W.A.T.H says:

    SY, Suarez is proven in the prem lge thats for sure and can u just imagine how many he would score in an Arsenal shirt….? Rico he can play champs lge games so could help us qualify…!

  96. NashuaGunners says:

    Good Afternoon Rico and All

    @Rico, where is Verna1999?? He was a regular here…

    Well, he once said “Statistics are like miniskirts. What they reveal is tantalizing, but what they hide is crucial.”

  97. rico says:

    Scott, that could happen with any player we might sign…

    Fair point Wath, don’t get me wrong, if we signed him I’d be pretty happy….

  98. LoPo says:

    As much as I respect the ability of Suarez, I just hate the idea of having such a racist, diving, knucklehead on our squad. I’m not a win at any cost type guy. I picked up on Arsenal as a kid because of the work rate, continuity, respect, and honor that is Arsenal. We don’t break the bank and we play team football.

  99. devilgunner says:

    Good Afternoon Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Still boring on NN. nothing to write about.

    Benteke, Suarez, Higuain……..yawn!!!!!!

    Cesar?????

    I wont believe anything until we see them sign and with the red shirt on.

  100. rico says:

    AW must believe he can get that from his game Lopo, IF he really is trying to sign him – I see him away from the PL myself…

  101. NashuaGunners says:

    @LoPo, with all Suarez defaults, Aw can mentor him to be a better person. In life some lost their ways in growing up. You never know what type of life he has growing up; whether he lack a father figure during his teenage days. People can change.

  102. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lobo – you say ambitious, I say mercenary.
    Just because a player hits the net for his club, doesn’t mean he’s good enough for Arsenal.

    Benteke scored 19 goals last season
    Ricky Lambert scored 15
    Anyone fancy us buying Ricky Lambert? A big strong strapping player …… 6ft2 and has banged in goals wherever he’s been …

    —-

    2011-12
    Clint Dempsey 17
    Adebayor 17
    Grant Holt 15
    Any takers? Grant Holt. Always causes us problems…

    2010-2012
    Darren Bent 17
    Odemwingie 15
    Fckng DJ Campbell 13
    A mega trio to die for….. Have these jokers in our side and we’d have 45 goals … over half our tally … we could buy them all for about £21.36p … Odemwingie is a total club-man… chased the money like the mercenary he is down to Loftus Road and got locked out ….

    2009-2010
    Darren Bent 24
    He’s there again – this time with 24 ….

    2007-2008
    Roque Santa Cruz 19
    Benjani 15

    In 2004-05
    Andy Johnson hit the net 21 times – for Palace ….

    Just because Benteke scored 19 goals last season desn’t make him the “next coming” …. Abalonghor was mentioned in exactly the same vain a few seasons ago and where is he now?

  103. W.A.T.H says:

    NG, as SYG said the other day as well, many things said come out wrong from a foreign player when said in English, yes he dives and that we need to stamp out the rest is something that for sure we don’t know the background on…! I personally don’t like him one bit as a person but same with Rooney I think i’d have him in an Arsenal shirt in the blink of an eye…!

  104. LoPo says:

    People do change but I expect more maturity and better judgment from a guy in his later 20’s who is repeating same mistakes from the past.

  105. potter says:

    Ian Wright the most hungry ,natural goalscorer since Jimmy Greaves. A fit young Wrighty would be in my team in a heartbeat. Put a natural captain , T.A /Mclintock at the back and any of Pires, Bergkamp, Petit / Overmars would make a hell of a difference.

  106. devilgunner says:

    Guys……sign this player or that player simply because he has banged in the goals does not mean he will do so for us. He must have a good technical level and able to fit into our play pattern.

    Adebarnhore scored goals for us……..that did not make him good for shitty or scum. He has faltered with all of them. Likewise the others. Many are players. but few are footballers.

  107. potter says:

    LoPo :- Where does that leave Wenger , basically good but makes the same mistakes over and over and over again…………………………………………….Bejeesus.

  108. devilgunner says:

    those who say we missed PV04 since he left are partially right. But for me the real player we missed when they left and we have not yet replaced them are PIRES (yes in capitals), Lyungberg out of the invincibles, and Overmars out of the 1998 squad.

    WINGERS. not WENGERS

  109. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lopo – “I’m not a win at any cost type guy.”
    No, but if millions were at stake you would be

    Not of our great players were perfect

    Pires? Diving
    As Steve Lomass re: Dennis Bergkamp
    Viera? How many red and yellow cards? More than Suarez I bet ..
    Adams? A jailbird and self confessed alcoholic
    Ashley Cole? a womaniser
    Paul Merson? A gambler, drug addict, alcoholic and top guy
    There are loads of others that weren’t perfect….

  110. LoPo says:

    I don’t judge players on their goal total. I judge a player on what I see from him on the pitch. Benteke has power, poise, speed, instincts and skill. Is he a future elite player? Hard to tell but I see greatness in him.

    As for goal totals remember that somebody has to score because every soccer club scores goals. The players that show signs of excellence in multiple areas earns them spots in higher clubs.

  111. LoPo says:

    Nobody is perfect. We all have flaws. However, bite once and its shame on you. Bite again and its a shame on anybody who pursues you less than a season after the incident.

    Plus he’s a diver and racist. The biting thing could reason enough.

  112. southyorkshiregunner says:

    WATH …. cast your mind back to an incident in 1970 in Rome …
    Jon Sammels (who was a total, total gent and our midfielder) stated that something got missed or not translated properly or mis translated after a 2-2 draw with Lazio. He said that you just knew it had been badly translated … and everyone on the Italian side had their shackles up and a mass brawl ensued … the rest is history

    In a match in France and after a foul, Gonalons said to Ian Wright: “Aller jouer avec vos boules….”
    Ian looked at Petit and asked what did he say?
    Petit answered: “He said go and play with your balls…”
    Gonalons would get a slap even though he meant ‘it’s your free kick – get on with it’ ….

    Different countries have different coloquisms and things come out different. South America is a lot, lot different to the UK. As is Bangladesh or Pakistan or Nigeria and North Korea …
    That could cover Suarez’s conversation with Evra ….

    … but I’m fcukd if I can make him up an excuse for tearing a bit out of another player with his teeth ….

  113. southyorkshiregunner says:

    LoPo says:
    July 10, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    He has power, poise, speed, instincts and skill. Is he a future elite player? Hard to tell but I see greatness in him.

    Are you is agent?

    They said similar things about Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe…. The El Dude brothers…. They were in it for the money and power as well…..

  114. NashuaGunners says:

    I hope the Suarez thing is serious and have some legs because this is what I call INTENT. A PL player with a proven record. No time for bedding. How would you feel; an away match to Stoke City and Suarez is the game changer in their backyard???

  115. W.A.T.H says:

    Rico, don’t be so sure on that 40m mark……… If he is agitating to leave and no one really stumps up the money then we may well get him for less than the 40m will add on’s etc etc money up front will help the Anfield redevelopment…! I think there is lot more to this than we think.

  116. W.A.T.H says:

    SY, spot on with what you said mate, can’t let him off on the diving or the biting though… we’ll have to get him a gum guard and feed him up b4 kick off and as for the diving we’ll he will just need a good slap…!

  117. NashuaGunners says:

    @Rico. Because Liverpool knows they have a player in Suarez with all his ambiguities. But I doubt it if we can make such offer to Liverpool.

  118. W.A.T.H says:

    Someone please tell the English batsmen they have to stop getting out…!
    Nash, as we have seen over the last 4/5 years if a player wants out it’s stupid to keep him and if a decent offer comes in then you have to bite the bullet, We need to make an offer they feel happy to acccept not a big offer straight off, enough to temp them though.

  119. southyorkshiregunner says:

    It’s the same when you employ a person Nashua.
    As soon as they tell you they are leaving, you tell them to pack their stuff, piss off and to never darken your doors again …
    It’s never any good having disruptive infuences in the “office” …..

  120. rico says:

    Adler – nice 🙂

    Ng, let him put in a transfer request and I’ll start believing, I sill think he will end up in Spain

  121. southyorkshiregunner says:

    … See Rico …. with Geoff Boycott you definitely knew where you stood …..
    …Inbetween wickets going for a third and getting run out …. Geoff was a boy. Totally in business for himself ….

    Now Chris Tavare – he played cricket like Denilson played football …. About 10 hours to reach 50 …

  122. NashuaGunners says:

    Wath. Suarez makes all the differences at Liverpool, I don’t see them willing to sell unless it the right offer. You don’t let go easily when you have an asset like Suarez unless the the offer is tempting.

  123. W.A.T.H says:

    Nash, Rvp, Cesc, made us tick BUT they wanted out.. you can’t keep an unhappy player…! The word is 40m clause in the contract Rico but who exactly knows and as I say if we offer 35m and they know he wants out and will not play for them what’s the better option to take? 35m buys them another Andy Carroll lol 😀

  124. NashuaGunners says:

    SYG. I would hate to work for you… Are you not going to ask why I am leaving in the first place and what you (the employer) can do to change things if I am a reliable worker???

  125. southyorkshiregunner says:

    NashuaGunners says:
    July 10, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    No. Definitely not.

    Man to his wife
    “Don’t leave me darling, I’ll let you have more money and let you buy more shoes and handbags …. and go on then you can have a boyfriend too….”
    “Okay then I’ll stay,” she says.

    Result: Man is a fckng idiot – woman has his number

    i know its extreme … but employer / employee isn’t that much different ..

  126. NashuaGunners says:

    If we have a Owner as passionate as most of us RVP would be still playing for Arsenal. Suarez would not be a dream but a reality. RVP didn’t want out, but want players to play with that can make a difference so he can win trophies, so at the end of career he has something to show for it. BUT, as Wath would say, if my aunt has balls is not my aunt but my uncle.

  127. W.A.T.H says:

    Nash, to be honest mate I think Rvp would of stayed for one reason only and it has sweet FA to do with adding quality players…. If we had paid him 200k a week he would still be at Arsenal. We did not see the value in 200K a week on a 4yr contract so he left but all his verbal about players and quality was so the fans didn’t turn on him, failed a bit that one lol

    I am on the phone to my aunt to see if she has balls I’m a little worried now she does have a deep voice….!

  128. tsgh says:

    Hi again,

    Ng I don’t believe Rambo’s stats either, I was just doing Scott’s dirty work for him… he hasn’t paid me yet so I can still turn against him… 🙂

    I am with you WATH… RVP left for one reason and one reason only 200k a week

  129. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! Top of NN Arsenal stories again, rico. 🙂 Maybe, that’s why you’ve been drawing out some dodgy characters. 🙂

    I see we haven’t signed anyone yet. Oh well, two more months. 😀

  130. Emmanuel o says:

    Good evening to you all,pls arsenal should stop all this things their doing pls and let arsen wenger be very serious to sing all this players he want to sing.I want to let all arsenal officers to open up and stop doing this stupid things their doing every body be serious and sing playes befor it is too late pls,other clubs have sing two three players we are still saying i we will sing seanson is about to start pls let sing players pls.

  131. agirlagunner says:

    But rico, yesterday’s post still appears on “Previously Top Stories”. You seem to be on a roll. 😛 I gather your cricket team is playing like Arsenal though. Hah.

    Hi, JM and Adam. 🙂

  132. tsgh says:

    Hi Mrs Agag… hope you are well? Are you going to try and see the boys and IG when they come globetrotting around your way?

  133. agirlagunner says:

    That sounds hopeless, rico. 😛 Don’t do anything rash like slit your wrists or something.

    Hiya, Ginge, nope. It would be easy enough to, but it won’t be the same as seeing them at The Emirates; I’ll just save up for that. 🙂 Howdy?

  134. tsgh says:

    Are you trying to be politically correct Rico… 😉

    Agag, I am ok, thanks for asking? You should try to see IG and ask him a few questions especially if Tony Blair Rothchild or Alistair Campbell are his idols? Tell him he is a spin master…

    As IG said weeks ago during the fans meeting… he explained his job is to make the club money… he later said subtly that fans should buy season tickets because we are going to buy big…

    IG indeed spent on a big Ivorian French lump in Yaya Sanogo…,

  135. NashuaGunners says:

    I know IG works for a living and he is trying to doing everything he can to appease his employer, but at the same time he should subsume fans feeling during those meeting and he should be the one being put on the hot seat answering all journos questions. He should be the one talking to the media or with AW during those Press Meeting. So when he can’t back what he said, he should be call on it.

    Q> “You said it last season that we have money to spent and bring in big name players, yet we fail, why should we believe you now? What have change since then?”

    A>IG

    Q>You promised us we’ll buy big name players and AW knows what we need to compete with the likes of ManU and Chelsea. Even the blinds know we need 3/4 players that could make us strong in all department. If the money is there and AW refused to spend to make us whole, why not fire him and get someone else???

    A>IG

  136. rico says:

    Now Syg 😛

    Seriously, that would be a massive help Syg, I’m really struggling with lack of proper news…

  137. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sure.
    I promise I’ll not mention Eboue, Song, diaby, Gervinho, Bendtner, Park or Squillaci …. It’ll be with you by 8am

  138. allezkev says:

    Do not knock da NigerianGunner/Gooner/Doomer.

    After all, if you look deep enough, then you will find that we are all Africans….

    Is that not right, my Bro, from The Gold Coast… 😉

  139. allezkev says:

    Adam, when that £36million arrives, can I lend £5million to get a mansion in Dulwich….?

    Thanks in anticipation….
    Er, mate, 😉

  140. Adam says:

    No problem Kev. I am looking forward to getting it and paying a few bills myself. I will also be sending a few million quid to Arshavin as his story about being depressed really touched me.

  141. tsgh says:

    Micko, stop picking on me… ask WATH I served him with court papers earlier… yours will follow soon.

    Lady Rico, do you still need a dodgy post? 🙂

  142. rico says:

    The more the merrier please Ts. I know the gossip posts are tedious so any help you guys/gals can give me is really really appreciated…

  143. tsgh says:

    Will send you one in a moment but will be suitable for tomorrow only me think 😉

    Ak, have you seen the list of youth who made the cut?

  144. allszkev says:

    Dave, you have destroyed my illusions…

    I always set my stall out on what Sam Morkel writes in the Daily Mail…
    That man has never let me down…

    Adam, I will treat you to an extra Wally at the Ark, when the cheque arrives..
    You are a true friend… 😛

    Mick, it’s the Nigerian Guinness..,
    I can read you like a book….

    Great Post Rico….
    What was it about????
    😉

  145. allezkev says:

    Ginge, did you see that programme, on Monday night, about the 81st and 82nd West African Regiments….

    Both fought in Burma…

  146. tsgh says:

    No.. what channel was it Ak?

    My fave player Nico and Hayden did not make the cut… I discuss that in my post so… 😉

    Lady check your inbox please..

    How are you Dg… how are the mini skirts this season… 🙂

  147. allezkev says:

    Just checked Ginge…

    Wenger is taking seven youngsters, that’s excellent…

    But no Yennaris, gutted for the kid…

    Olsson made it, as did Grabry, Eisfeld, Zelalem, Miquel, Akpom…

  148. allezkev says:

    Oh and Aneke, it shit or busy for him this season…
    He’s gotta make an impression, as does Eisfeld I reckon…

  149. W.A.T.H says:

    Rico, make sure the post has a great heading your on a roll you need to make it a hat-trick 2moro top of the pops three days on the trot..! A hat-trick… more than Aaron will get this season 😉

    Ts, still waiting for my Pol and papers…!

  150. tsgh says:

    It is interesting we were discussing that weeks ago… Ak

    Yes as I said my grand pop fought over there with the Brits… one reason I guess I joined the forces too apart from watching Rambo first blood and missing in action too many times… 🙂

    WATH… the post man said you signed the docs so you can’t avoid it your are served… 🙂

    The Pol is coming from Abuja… the code is 419…

  151. W.A.T.H says:

    Ts the fella wasnt the postman and the Umbrella in this weather gave it away… I knew he was one of “your” lot…! def NOT served…! 😛

  152. tsgh says:

    😀 WATH…
    I am looking forward to watching the boys on sunday… phew Robson has to be muted I guess

  153. allezkev says:

    Yeah Ginge, I remember…
    I thought of that when I was watching the programme.
    They visited Accra and interviewed some of the Vets that fought..

    Hiya Wath…

    That’s me done Gooners.
    Night to you all. And Mick…

  154. rico says:

    I have it Ts, thanks big time 🙂

    Just been mucking around with he woofa in the garden, football and flipflops don’t mix….

    Over I went and can hardly fooking walk!!!

  155. Micko says:

    Dutch, see our boys tied your boys in the cricket yesterday to reach the World Cup finals in Australia 2015, think your still in with a shout though, would be a shame to see one of the super powers go out, Scott must be shaking in his boots !

  156. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Rico
    it’s in your inbox ….

    knocking off.

    It’s been a great day for camaraderie ….

  157. W.A.T.H says:

    Night you lot… take it easy those that shooting off…!

    Robson needs to be permanently muted Ts…!

  158. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hiya Ginge

    Yes skirts are short and reveling in the attention of gazing eyes. Lots of terrace basking. 😉

    No me old cabbie, not in London. Just heard it through the grapevine. Just spilled the beans on it for the idle moments in your schedule. Cheers.

  159. DutchGooner10 says:

    Lee

    How are sales coming along? Btw wanted to ask if you ever heard of Raymond James investment advisors? They are making the big waves I heard.

    JM / WATH / SteveP/ SYG / Nash / Agag / Micko (and the rest of you regulars): raising a Heineken on your behalf. Cheers, bottoms up HH.

    Signing off. Laters fellowship.

  160. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Why don’t the club send a second team to tour somewhere else??
    I reckon a team of kids would be great to watch, and would attract reasonable crowds.
    Aussies cricket isn’t in such a bad state, hey??

  161. Nizam says:

    It remains to be seen. Wenger’s penny pinching policy could prove costly.The top players could have gone by end of August. Then it will be back to square one.
    As said many times,if he is unable to bring the gunners to the next/higher level,let him go to PSG.What makes him think he is immune from the sack at the fc?

  162. Lewis says:

    Morning all.

    Looking forward to seeing how the youngsters get on in preseason. Especially akpom and gnabry. Anyone with a better knowledge than me know how close they all are to breaking through, if at all?

  163. rico says:

    That format doesn’t work either Ts 🙁

    A ‘photo’ attachment is all that I seem to be able to re-use…

  164. ILLABASH says:

    ARSENE WENGER WILL NEVER BUY ROONEY,SUAREZ NOR JOVETIC.THE DAMN OLD MAN IS PLAYING ON OUR INTELLIGENCE.HE WILL BUY CHEAP FROM FRENCH LEAGUE 1.

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