Keeper confirms summer exit! 4th up for grabs today, if we WANT it…….

Morning all,

Let’s get the gossip over with first, that the stuff we all read and then forget as all what it written in the red tops and broadsheets is all made up for one reason only.

Victor Valdes has told FourFourTwo magazine he’s definitely leaving Barcelona in the summer:

It’s hard to imagine wearing another shirt, but I’ve been this for 11 years. I will leave Barca.

One year as Barcelona keeper is like three years at another team. the pressure is immense.

Not really sure I agree with that, I doubt he has too much to do during most domestic matches he plays. Of course that will automatically mean we are after him. We could do better!

Onto today, that’s what matters more.

Walked wounded:

For West Brom it’s midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, he’s been their heart and soul of midfield recently but he’s ruled out of today’s clash through suspension. He serving the first of  a three game-ban for his red card received for violent conduct during the 3-1 away defeat against West Ham last weekend.

For us it’s all about Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby missing. Two of those are back soon though, next weekend hopefully.

So all pretty good news really as we continue that exciting battle with clubs around us for a top four finish, well, top three is the place we need, especially if the club are to go full steam ahead with all these supposed transfers this summer… Cough!

Stats courtesy of the BBC website:

Head-to-head

  • West Brom have won just two of the 13 meetings between the sides in the Premier League, with their only home victory coming in October 2005.
  • Arsenal needed a pair of penalties from Mikel Arteta to win the reverse fixture at the Emirates earlier this season.

West Brom

  • West Brom’s home record this season is the sixth best in the Premier League (W9, D2, L4). At this stage last year they were the 17th best (W4, D2, L9) on their own patch.
  • The Baggies have yet to come from behind at half time to win a game this season (D1, L9).
  • They have won one of their last four league games and just three in 12 in the Premier League since back-to-back wins over the festive period.
  • However, they need just one more win to set an outright club record of 14 Premier League victories in a single season.

Arsenal

  • The Gunners are the best in the Premier League at defending winning positions. They have surrendered only four points this season.
  • Arsenal also have the best second-half record in the Premier League, outscoring their opponents on 17 occasions and only being outscored twice.
  • Gervinho’s goal against Reading means he had scored in back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time.
  • Santi Cazorla has scored four times in his last five league games.

This has been a week where once again, we have had to read players comments about how good we are of late, how we will grab that top four place before the season etc etc.

Well as usual, I wish they’d secure a place in the Champions League before taking about it, at least to the media anyway.

Keep everything in the changing rooms and on the training pitch. I’m not saying they shouldn’t believe they can achieve at least a top four place, just stop bragging about it until it’s done…

The players say they need to finish in the top four, well they have eight games left to prove they WANT to get there.

They have the ability, they obviously have belief, now we need to see more of the WANT.

It won’t be easy today, in fact it’s going to be tough against a side which has a good back four, a good goalkeeper and a guy up front who can cause problems to any side.

On our day though, we have plenty of players who can cause any side problems, we can defend too and even Fabianski is showing a side of him we haven’t witnessed often enough.

Make today about what we can do, nothing more, nothing less….

COYR’s….

Have a good one all…..

0 thoughts on “Keeper confirms summer exit! 4th up for grabs today, if we WANT it…….

  1. ArsenalDK says:

    Come On You Rovers? 😉 good morning everyone. It’s a bright and sunny day here in Copenhagen, Valdes? Any day of the week 🙂

  2. rico says:

    Nice of you to drop in and leave your website details Latest 😉

    Maybe you could drop HH’s name into your article… Then again….

  3. ozgunner10 says:

    been a lovely day in Oz as well – cut and edged all the lawns, played under the tap with the dog during her bath and all is well for a good win tonight. There’s only one Arsene Wenger – ok, ok over the top i know haha

  4. Oyewale Abiodun says:

    Rambo,Ox,Gervinho,Giroud,or,Carzola.All I Want Is Goals And Assists From A Team Full Of Confidence Even Without High Profile Names Of W&W.

  5. Scott from Oz says:

    Careful Adam, we can’t afford to replace Aaron 🙂
    Rico, we Aussies are taking over.
    Hiya Oz.

  6. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Strewth, cobber how about throwing a couple of prawns on the barby and inviting a couple of Sheila’s over ….

  7. ozgunner10 says:

    ensuite next stop – rip up and re cement the floor, tiles off, shower in the trash, recover the vanity (cheaper than buying a new one because its an odd shape) and by the time i am done, we will have signed at least 2 truly world class players and be secure in third place for the ECL next season *cough* – All this positivity is giving me a headache for some reason

  8. ozgunner10 says:

    I have a weakness for DIY must be honest Adam – nothing like the satisfaction of saying “i did that”

    svy – hahah i would but the current sheila might not see the funny side of things she’d be madder than a sheeps flyblown ass mate

  9. ozgunner10 says:

    p.s. don’t forget to send him the bill Rico, there is no such thing as free advertising you know 🙂

  10. rico says:

    Darn cheek eh Oz 😉

    Come on indeed JM…

    Scott, slowly but surely, I think you are….

    Syg, get a gas bbq, and have one in the snow here 😉

  11. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Back over to Cyprus on the 21st Rico – Julie’s birthday…. I’ll have one there …. I don’t have to clean the mess up ….!

    Penchant for DIY? Are you mad Ozzie?

  12. Scott from Oz says:

    Oz, as someone who measure Shower Screens, among other things, for a living, i really wish people would leave bathrooms to the experts 🙂
    Not much worse than telling a man in front of his wife to rip the tiling and waterproofing up and start again.
    Then again, plenty of “tradesman” are no better!
    Syg, our current weather dictated no barbie tonight but a roast dinner lol

  13. Adam says:

    Oz. I think my trip to Perth might become an inspection tour of your prowess. I too am an avid D-I-Y’er though. I am especially good at testing sofas and also a dab hand with the toaster and the coffee machine.

  14. rico says:

    Possibly a bit warmer than here then Syg…

    Quite lucky on the cleaning up part, being a non-meat eater, not too much mess left on my bbq…

  15. Adam says:

    Rico. Have you been talking to Mrs Adam behind my back? That assessment is uncanny. I must be less forthcoming in the future. 🙂

  16. southyorkshiregunner says:

    You not seen our local plumber, Scott…

    Dave Pearce. His mobile +44 7712 654629

    Give him a ring for me and ask him to nip over on the next flight over there and price you up a new bathroom…. and that James from corner house has told you about how good he is ….. That’ll really get him going …. He’ll believe you…. REALLY

    By the end of the day he’ll have told all the town that he’s going international and he will even have his van booked in to be re-sign written……

    He’s very “special” …..

  17. Scott from Oz says:

    Lol Syg.
    So tradies are the same everywhere i guess?
    A lady recently had to have her newly renovated bathroom redone due to leaks….the first attempt of waterproofing was plastic film!!
    20k the first time,15k the second.
    I got the bastards name and made sure he got very little work, if any, from then on.
    Adam, the apple falling from the tree is about the extent of my physics knowledge mate 🙂

  18. agirlagunner says:

    Booo! I think we will win 3-1! Unfortunately, the match isn’t to be shown here. Eeek. Who cares about Stokey Pokey playing Aston Villa. Pfft.

    Hello, all. 🙂 I just read that article from the Catalan mag complaining about how overpriced Song was. 😀 Too funny.

  19. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Barcelona were mugged big-time Agag. They must have made their bid on the back of a YouTube compilation put together by one of his “die hard fans”…. I wouldn’t have given 15 pence for him, never mind £15M …. Sort of makes up for what they paid us for Fabregas……… who i think may be coming back shortly if things go on as they are ……

  20. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The plumber Scott, gave me a £2000 bill (that’s about AUS$2920) for fitting a bathroom ……
    I told him basically to fcuk off and have a think about it ..
    .. He told me he charges by the hour ….
    .. I told him that for every hour he was at our house he was on the phone 45 minutes to someone else, so basically he was billing me about £260 per hour ….
    .. I got re-billed for about £400 …

  21. W.A.T.H says:

    Afternoon All,

    Don’t want Cesc back Syg… let the little prick get splinters in his arse sitting on the bench there… smarmy little shit who manipulated the club just to get his own way.. amazing how so many fans would have him back and still love him when he crapped all over us..! Fuck him, bring in players that want to play for us mate only way to go..!

  22. agirlagunner says:

    No career to speak of now. Tut tut. 😀 😀 Like we always say Scott, the grass is not always greener on the other side. He’ll win a title or two, I think. But he has not contributed anything meaningful, so whatever he says, it won’t mean as much as winning something with Arsenal. 😉

  23. tsgh says:

    Hi all,

    A 3-1 win again with Kev losing his voice for singing Sc19 name all match… lol

    Hi SYG, stop being a ‘songist’…. 😀 😉

  24. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Kev.
    my mate over in Cyprus is a big Baggies fan ….. hope we turn ’em over big style …

  25. tsgh says:

    Enjoy Ak… make sure you don’t miss the bus coming back.

    Scott later…

    I am not bad at all SYG. A mate of mine who has family in Cyprus was telling me they are barred from sending money abroad.

  26. tsgh says:

    The baggies will miss Mulumbu in the middle of the park…

    I can see TR07 and SC19 bossing the midfield…

  27. southyorkshiregunner says:

    By BACS transfer for large amounts, I would imagine that’s true… Not that I’d know – I’ve got less than £100 in my Cypriot Bank account …
    ….We generally just use our visa debit card over there and draw out of the hole in the wall …..or there’s a decent currency converter in Agia Napa for GB -Sterling and who doesn’t take commission and has a decent rate ….

  28. rico says:

    Hello again all. Me too JM, anywhere else on the pitch it would have been a foul for the ‘stamp’…

  29. allezkev says:

    Hiya SYG….
    Just got into the ground…
    There is a very good vibe.
    Ginge, missing the coach home, simply is not an option… 🙂

  30. southyorkshiregunner says:

    text us a photo and I’ll send it over to my mate…. He’ll be chuffed as hell 07740853066

  31. rico says:

    Hope there’s plenty of goals for the good guys Kev…

    Reading are defending like we did a few weeks ago…

  32. Joaquim moreira says:

    hi tsgh!
    Rui Paticio is from Sporting not from Benfica.
    He is, since 3 years ago the Portuguese national goalkeeper.
    He is not bad in the line goal but poor in the crosses.
    He is very similar to De Gea

  33. rico says:

    Arsenal:

    Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Gervinho, Giroud

  34. Joaquim moreira says:

    line up:: Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Gervinho, Giroud

    Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Chamberlain, Podolski.

  35. rico says:

    Next season will be his day Esp, I am convinced he has been carrying an injury since the day we signed him…

    But, if Wenger believes he hasn’t got what he takes and signs someone better, then they’ll be no complaints I guess…

  36. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sporting life: “The big absentee for Arsenal is Abou Diaby, will be missing for the rest of the season after suffering his 38th major injury for the side” ……. lol

  37. rico says:

    Hi Dg, new laptop, get you posh man 😉

    Thanks for the stream, between you and JM, we should all be able to view somewhere 🙂

  38. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hiya Peeps,

    Miss ya much but need my full attention elsewhere. Catch up next week.

    Rico 🙂

  39. tsgh says:

    Thanks for the feedback JM… the summary of him will not make Rico happy so no we dont want him… 😉

  40. tsgh says:

    Rico said news about Michael… boxing is dangerous especially with the gloves… I prefer bareknuckles or no fighting…

  41. tsgh says:

    Rico… AW has to make changes before the 60th minute… this match has red cards all over it… I hope we are not the victims of ‘Webbism’

  42. rico says:

    Scott & Ts – you need to get a room with Aaron 😉

    Sadly though Ts, he probably is, shows just how dreadful the rest are because he is away with the fairies sometimes….

  43. rico says:

    I agree there Ts and Ramsey will be the first, if not, it could be one of our defenders…

    I keep getting the feeling that Sagna really is playing for his future right now….

  44. tsgh says:

    Hi Esp… and in my opinion MMA is safer if the ref is good because the punching is not as hard to the head because of the gloves… kicks to the head are rare too…

    Rico.. Scott is Aaron’s client I just do the PR… 😉

  45. eastsidepaul says:

    Tsgh I agree it is a lot safer than boxing, more of the body is being targeted and the fight can end in a variety of ways. The fighters injuries are also more varied, not just constant head trama.

    IF you have ESPN its on tonight at 9 rico 🙂

  46. rico says:

    Only you to could say that 😉

    It should be 2-0 and that attempt was dreadful, just dreadful, I could have toe-poked that in ….

  47. Scott from Oz says:

    In MMA there are quick, one punch knock outs.
    In boxing, it is the accumulation of punches that gets a fighter in trouble.

  48. eastsidepaul says:

    Ha its a great sport rico!
    I want to give it a go with anyone year or two of training under by belt!

  49. rico says:

    He owns some kind of fight club Esp… If you both want to chat offline about it, I’ll forward you both eachothers email address.

    He’ll be on in a while I suspect…

  50. rico says:

    Oops sorry about the caps, Fido keeps pawing my laptop….

    One more and we may just win this game …

  51. Scott from Oz says:

    Did you see that….the ball actually spoke.
    It said “get off me you big f**king German”.

  52. Scott from Oz says:

    Toughed it out brilliantly.
    I think we made things tough by sitting so deep, but a great result.

  53. rico says:

    That is what you call a great great display of defending, absolute desire to win that game…

    Hats off to the players, hats off!!!

    A truly great three points….

  54. Joaquim moreira says:

    10 minutes to answer WBA subs and then down with 10 men and we only answer because Metts was sent off… AW didn’t see what i’ve seen?
    Our midfield must be much more stronger and refresh for answer WBA subs when they starting to play with 2 central forwards…
    And then the match turn over. Fortunatelly, we were lucky at the end.
    but AW… why do not break down WBA initiative with one sub arround the 62-63th minute and then organize the team and make another one at the 70-75th minute?
    Probably we weren’t down with 10 men and the game was in out pocket earlier then the 96th minute.

  55. allezkev says:

    On the coach home now…

    We’re coming for you….
    We’re coming for youuuu.
    Middlesex Hotspur.
    We’re coming for you… 😀

  56. agirlagunner says:

    He and Santi are probably our most technically proficient players now, Ginge.

    Kev, you sound happy! 🙂 You there too, Potter?

  57. tsgh says:

    my only disappointment about today was the fact that we could not improve our goal differtence especially against the chavs…

    As the have beaten us twice, we need to improve our goal difference just in case…

  58. rico says:

    JM – maybe we were lucky, I’d say very lucky but that game should have been dead and buried before Merts saw red…

    However, with a bit of their poor finishing and a big of dig deep when defending, we got three points…

    Man Utd have been doing that kind of stuff for years and winning trophies that way.

    Had we dug in that deep all season, we might just have nabbed ourselves one….

  59. rico says:

    I knew you would notice agag 😛

    I am happy too, very happy. Was the Merts red card deserved? I didn’t see it properly..

  60. agirlagunner says:

    How can I not notice two guinea pigs instead of one, rico? 😛 😛

    Adam, just go to gravatar.com. 🙂

  61. rico says:

    Adam, that site is different to the one I tried, do I dare ask if you would like me to try again 😉

  62. stevepalmer1 says:

    Fishing all day caught nothing, but followed the radio. , Sounded like we played well till Merts put his foot in it, but they dug deep by all accounts and brought home the 3 points , looking good for our 4th spot trophy

  63. goonster says:

    come on you fucking gunners…………..YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

  64. goonster says:

    hey rico……i ve been busy as hell. cassie sends her greetings. she was diagnosed with lung cancer. poor baby. i just couldnt leave her side.

  65. goonster says:

    yeah so far…..she had a chemo just last week. her folks are so distraught they lost their eldest daughter to cancer too a while back.

  66. goonster says:

    so how are you rico? how’s the house? gosh i miss my online family. adam kev ginge syg lee micko agag scott rocky et al. its good to be home again.

  67. rico says:

    I’m good Goonie, somewhat stunned by your news. Poor Cassie and her family and of course her sister..

    I am stunned…

  68. goonster says:

    tell me about it rico….so what’s new with my first love arsenal? have we signed anyone yet? lol.

  69. goonster says:

    hope everton whups the totts tomorrow and bale falls off his balcony thereby sustaining an 8 months injury.

  70. rico says:

    No-one yet goonie, but they are due in the summer…

    Give Cassie my best and I wish her a very speedy recovery….

  71. rico says:

    No idea goonie, apparently he’s coming our way if we get CL footie….

    We’ll see…

    As much as I’d love to hang around, its getting late for me so I’m off…

    Nighty Goonster and all…..

    Til tomorrow

  72. goonster says:

    nighty rico….dont let the bed bugs bite……hiya sir steve how is it going? caught any fish lately?

  73. stevepalmer1 says:

    Can’t catch bugger all mate, don’t think there’s any fish in my lake.
    Your news has taken my breath away mate. I wish her a speedy recovery.

  74. goonster says:

    thanks sir steve……..but fishing is your thing like chasing skirts is mine! dont give it up my man.

  75. stevepalmer1 says:

    Probably snuggled up on the sofa with Mrs A. You still working hard Stan, where are you now you old globe trotter.

  76. agirlagunner says:

    I’m okay. And you, goonie? Be superduperextra nice to Cassie. 🙂

    Hiya, SSP. Isn;’t it too cold to be fishing??

  77. goonster says:

    hahahahahah yeah adam comes of like the snuggly one. lucky bastard. globe trotting huh? no way my man am still in raleigh. cassie needs me. i cant leave her side.

  78. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hi Agag, temperature got up to about 8 degree’s today, with the weather we have had just lately that’s like summer, but yes your right probably still too cold.

  79. agirlagunner says:

    SSP, temps here go up to as high as 35.5 these days. 😛

    goonie, no skirt chasing for you. You be good now, and take care of your wife. 😉

  80. stevepalmer1 says:

    Lets hope that does the trick then.. Did you watch the game today the radio said the Gerve had a blinder i nearly fell off my chair.

  81. goonster says:

    hahahhahaahahah well just like piers morgan said last week ” i ve always knew he had it in him” go gerwanko. you ve got my backing!

  82. agirlagunner says:

    Around 95, I believe, SSP. I saw bits from streaming. Gerv looked to be in fine form. 🙂 Oh my, it’s been ages since we said that about him

    Good to hear, goonie. 🙂

  83. stevepalmer1 says:

    Thats me done fine folks, time for a cuddle on my sofa Nte Agag and look after yourself in that sun. Stan look after yourself mate and give the Mrs my best wishes Night all.

  84. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    A very satisfying result, and that makes 6 out of 7.
    I thought we looked very good in parts early on, and defended pretty well against WBA’s obvious aerial threats.
    It was great to see Tommy nail 2, and the assists from Gervinho and Ramsey were fantastic.
    I am still not sure Merts needed to make that challenge, but having seen it half a dozen times, i can’t condemn him as i still can’t make up my mind so he made his call.
    I found it very frustrating that we defended so deep after he was off, as it just invited them to run at as.
    Stan, fingers are crossed all over the world bud, even down under!!!

  85. Adam says:

    Stan. Late I know but if you see this then know that I am thinking of you. Terrible news indeed. We all wondered where you were.
    I will be around tomorrow and will look out for you. I am really shocked Stan. Really shocked.

  86. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and Scott personally I take great delight in Tony Pubis’ discomfort. May it continue all the way down the divisions.

  87. rico says:

    Morning Scott & Adam..

    Apart from when Poolis plays our neighbours, I hope he loses every game and they finally get relegated…

  88. Adam says:

    I hope they get relegated and that he is arrested for impersonating a human being and sentenced to live out his days above a fried chicken shop in Tottenham High Road, out of the sight of normal people. 🙂

  89. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam, even when we were not exactly on speaking terms, i often gushed at some of your comments.
    Poulis impersonating a human being is your best mate!
    Straight to the point, simple but an absolute classic!!
    Bravo my man, bravo!!

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