Major boost for Arsenal. Hummels & Higuain linked – again!

Morning all.

Where did that four day break go?

Man City losing away to Crystal Palace last night was a bit of a surprise. Or was it?

Arsenal made the same trip back in February and a dubious penalty together with a goalkeeping error gifted us two first half goals which turned out to be enough.

But a better second half performance by the home team was rewarded late in the game with a goal on ninety minutes and a few nervy times followed when their goal scorer Glenn Murray headed a chance against the post when really, he should have scored a Palace equaliser. Not that I’m complaining of course…

So no, not such a big surprise really. More of a surprise was Michael Oliver not sending off Vincent Kompany for repeating the antics of Angel Di Maria during our FA Cup match. Mind you, Oliver didn’t send off Joe Hart earlier in season after the keeper was jolly close to landing a head butt on his forehead…

As much as it’s unfair and not right, at least Kompany will face Utd….

That result has done us a huge favour and with Man City travelling to Utd this coming weekend, one of the two or even better, both will drop points. We of course travel to Burnley for a Saturday night kick-off. Chelsea ahead across London to face a QPR side which like Burnley, are fighting hard for PL survival and it’s tight down the bottom.

Then, when we are playing Reading at Wembley, Man Utd will be at Stamford Bridge…

Seven PL fixtures left. 21 points up for grabs. Anything can yet happen….

Transfer gossip:

Mats Hummels has been told by Dortmund to sign a new contract or leave in the summer for Utd or Arsenal. (The Express)

Arsenal are said to be favourites to land Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain this summer. (Telegraph)

I think a newspaper or two wrote that a couple of seasons ago…..

That’s it for Tuesday, have a good one….

118 thoughts on “Major boost for Arsenal. Hummels & Higuain linked – again!

  1. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good post boss.

    I doubt we will sign Hig and Humm. Although I would not be surprised. If AW is going to play the same 11 every week someone will have to sit on the bench. And i doubt if these two will want to do so. But if AW rotates like he does between the three CBs then its ok. I would like to see AW partner Gaby and Chambers in CB position. I think that eventually that will be the future. That is why I feel he will not buy Hummels.

    Atm Ollie does not have a proper CF who can challenge him and play in the same way. MAybe Higuain can do so. Imagine being a defender and seeing Ollie and Higgy bearing down on you. enough to give you nightmares.

  2. tsgh says:

    lol Joe.

    I prefer mvila to Arsenal…

    Higuain is overrated end of. I would rather morata

    Funny how the Higuain lovers including ex-pros have stopped slating AW for missing out on Hig.
    13 goals this season; goes to show OG12 is far better… 😉

    If higuain was that good he would have helped Napoli to go above AS Roma and Gervinho. lol

    Juve have 14-point lead over Roma at the summit of the standings.

  3. frednerl says:

    Morning All,
    Martinez our 3rd choice keeper is on loan to Rotherham,
    Macey is 20 years old,not seen him,not read anything
    about him.
    What I do know about keepers is the older they get
    the better.
    We have fu#ked the first part of the season up,
    by not having a back up centreback.
    We now have a chance of finishing 2nd,due to the change
    in tactic’s and the last ditch up grade of The Coq.
    So for me at this stage of the season,
    it would have been wiser to get Martinez back,
    and leave Macey at Accrington Stanley.

    So…………….that to me is another gamble.

  4. HenryB says:

    Morning, Rico, 🙂

    I had a sense of déjà vu watching the Citeh v Palace game last night.

    What I mean is that oft times I have watched Arsenal pummel a team over most of the 90 minutes, and then come up empty because the other guys played way beyond their individual abilities, especially the GKs, and mange to score from the one or two chances they had.

    That really hurt.

    Not saying I had any sympathy for Citeh – I like us being 2nd in the Prem, and loitering with intent, should those Chavs slip up — seeing Citeh becoming more and more desperate just brought those memories back as to how I felt when the Gunners were by far the best team and ……. lost.

  5. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all Gooners in residence.

    It’s a little bit too early to be bothered about transfer rumours. The journos mustn’t have much to write about now that their fancied teams are dropping off the pace and dropping points in the title race. Heaven forbid that they should write something accurate or complimentary about Arsenal.

    I watched the last 30 minutes of the Palace vs. Citeh game. Citeh were definitely the better team technically, but they just couldn’t be bothered to put the effort in. Now if our team can only shake both Manchester teams of their coattails it might be a decent season and a great help in recruitment for next season.

  6. rico says:

    Morning Fred.

    Re the keeper situation, Szczesny might well be fit and healthy by the time the Reading game comes around, if not by this weekend. I think I read he suffered his rib injury just prior to ko of Saturday…

    I’m sure if he was seriously injured, Martinez would be recalled…

  7. allezkev says:

    Morning Again All…

    And what wonderful day it is, the sun is beaming down, it’s warm and Arsenal are 2nd in the table… 🙂

    Higuain, Hummels, yep there’s nothing quite like a rehashed transfer rumour…

    I wonder how long it’ll be before Arsenal are linked to Wilf Mannion again… Yawn

  8. Dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, Four day break would of done me fine Rico, But as a Mature Student, Back in college, our schools and colleges are closed for the 2 weeks, only 1 week left, Its too long imo. Not much news flying around this morning, the best news I,ve read , Van Persie surplus to requirements at Man Utd. He,s 31 and entering the final year on his contract, and there have been no moves to offer him a new deal, United bosses are reluctant to let him run down his £200,000-a-week contract and leave Old Trafford for nothing at the end of the 2015-16 season. He was one player who bit the hand that fed him, imo, after all the years he spent on the treatment table. 1 good season and felt he was better than the club. A player I will NEVER forgive for leaving. He is said to favour a return to Holland to end his career there if United receive an acceptable offer. If true ” GOOD RIDDANCE.” Sorry for my short rant.

  9. tsgh says:

    Cg- Afobe and Aneke being allowed to leave is a disgrace to AW.

    AW still hasn’t produced a CB and a CF in his 17 or so years with us…Aladiere was the closest he came to producing a CF for us from the youth ranks.
    BTW….this is coming from one of his staunchest supporters.

    Syg and I use to talk about Afobe on here 2 seasons ago when Afobe was at Sheffield. Even though he did not score the goals as expected you copuld tell he had all the movement and positional awareness needed.

  10. frednerk says:

    Hope your right rico.
    As I was saying yesterday,it looks like now
    Kosser may be out.
    I know how handsome you think Gabrial is,
    but him and the BFG plus Macey,could
    be pushing our luck.

  11. rico says:

    Afternoon Dublin, two weeks would be better for me… 😉

    I laughed when I saw the RvP story, serves the old badger right….

  12. Dublingunner says:

    tsgh, I suppose it was the right thing to do for their develpment, I just couldn,t see them breaking into the first team long term. Afobe is probably at his right level now, and will improve further getting proper game time.

  13. Canadian Gooner says:

    Dublin – No need to apologize for your rant, I agree 100%. I too have no sympathy for Robin. He shall forever remain Judas van Pursestrings.

    Ginge – I`m not sure that Chuks has what it takes to play at the top level. However, Benik may just have what it takes. Time will tell with both of them. Also, I have to agree with Dublin “…I suppose it was the right thing to do for their develpment, I just couldn,t see them breaking into the first team long term.“ There was little chance of Benik making it into the first team anytime soon, unless he had and took his chance like Le Coq. It`s not fair to warehouse young players like Chelski and Citeh do and thereby stifle their development.

  14. Dublingunner says:

    Jeez ,I know it,s all if,s and but,s. But if City lose to United the weekend and Liverpool win, There,s only a 4 point gap between them, who,d of thought, Can,t see Pellegrini there next season. I read an interesting Quote. Saying Arsenal seem to only turn it on, When the pressure is off. Is that true? We along with Napoli are the two form teams in Europe at the moment, you would feel a little too late, All be it, When the pressure was off.

  15. rico says:

    Or is the pressure back on Dublin?

    I’d say that whilst we were out of the top four, the pressure was truly on to get in it as that’s the aim, CL first and foremost for the cash. imo

    Now we are in it and up to second, maybe there’s even more pressure because I bet AW is telling the players they can win the league…

  16. rico says:

    Giving up on Chambers already Ts?

    I think he’ll be a very good CB given time…

    Walk time for me so catch up later..

  17. tsgh says:

    Scez at his best…

    if Scez wants to stay and fight for his place there is no need to sell him at all; the cash could be used on a DM or Box to box player instead. imo

  18. Rick says:

    Good afternoon Rico and the House.
    The sun is shining we are 2nd and all my fellow Gooners are smiling how much better can it get.
    Interesting news for tonights U21 game. Arteta, Wilshere Diaby and Serge are all down to play.

  19. potter says:

    It’s a different pressure now , the fourth place trophy looks safe but we are being touted to go further and that brings another one. The question is about the pride of the players , do they want progression and aim for second and hope for a Chelsea slip up or do they rest on their laurels and do just enough to secure the club’s original aims.

  20. Dublingunner says:

    probably right, Rico, But cant help thinking they seem to go on these late season runs, when the main prize is out of their grasp. oh well, its good to see that maybe we aren,t that far away from actually winning the premier league again.

  21. Snaparse says:

    There is a talented player in szcscney but I’m afraid he is heading towards the exit door with his arrogance

  22. tsgh says:

    Apparently- after the lose to spurds the players were made aware of the UCL qualification clauses in their contracts; All of a sudden players like Sc19 were putting in the shift for 90 minutes..

    My point is, is there any additional incentive for the boys to try to finish 1st?

    King Abou is coming back…

    Hi Rick;

    Rico I haven’t given up on Chambers yet.. I just think Stone is ahead of Chambers…

  23. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – I hope you`re right – “I suspect we have first option on Afobe, and Aneke….“

    Although it may not win us the league, I still think it is important that we continue our good run of results. It is great for the current teams morale and a good selling point for transfer targets if finish the season on a high with a flourish. Being a team on the up with the current squad coming together as a team and looking attractive to potential targets can only be good for next season. Contrast that with the likes of Liverpool and possibly Abu Dhabi Citeh.

  24. Micko says:

    rico, you gotta stop reeling in tsgh with Higuain, it’s like waving a red flag at a bull !

    Everytime we loan a player out that beautiful song by the Three Degrees pops into my head “When will I see you Again”………the answer probably never !

  25. potter says:

    Chamber’s has been affected by being used as a right back and getting a roasting by a series of quick wingers and getting little or no midfield support.At Southampton he had Schniederlin, Wanyama and Steven Davis as a more defensive minded midfield . Our flyaway “”wingers”” did his confidence no favours. Probably he is more suited to the centre back role where in the main he is coming on to the ball rather than being caught on the turn and getting exposed grabbing hold of players with pace.

  26. Micko says:

    Funnily enough tsgh, gotta agree with ya, techically speaking Higuain is a bit of a busted sofa these days !

    Potter, thats my worst fear with Bellerin, hope Wenger doesn’t start experimenting with him too, his confidence must be sky high at the moment, he could make the right back his own for years to come if he wants it enough, it’s been mentioned play him higher up the field, can’t understand that, he’s still learning his trade, early days yet.

  27. tsgh says:

    I say play bellerin as a false 9. 😛

    I am with you Potter re. Chambers as a CB as Rico has always said;
    When he was signed I talked about how Chambers had been excellent for the saints before Christmas and then he went off the boil… His only notable performance was against us in the draw that ended our chances of finishing in the top 2
    Clyne took his place from christmas and the rest is history…

  28. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I see Bellerin similiar to Bale Ginge. AW should experiment with him yes……on the right wing or on the left wing as well, but not through the centre yet.

    Personally I see Bellerin more as a winger than a defender. And yes there are games where we should play Bellerin in front of Debuchy and Gibbs in front of Monreal. Especially when we need to give players like Sanchez and Welbeck a breather.

    Who would you prefer in front of Debuchy…..Bellerin or Theo???
    In a 4-4-1-1 it would look like this…….

    Ospina,
    Debuchy, Kos, Per, Nacho
    Bellerin, Coquelin, Cazorla,Gibbs
    Ozil,
    Ollie

    I still think that team can tear apart another team.

  29. rico says:

    Afternoon all..

    Micko – I do like to hear Ts talk about Higuain… 😉

    What’s all this playing Bellerin on the left? Poor chap, he’s doing great on the right…

    Ts, you still telling us about what was in your crystal ball a while ago…. 😉

  30. tsgh says:

    My crystal ball tells me Bellerin will go in goal in the FA cup final for the last 5 minutes when we are 5 up… 😛

  31. potter says:

    Rosco P Coltrane , how dare you Rico , made me think of Daisy Duke not good for my heart or my hip.

  32. Hell Raising Devil says:

    for now Bellerin should play on the right. However I feel that he can also play on the left since he can cut inside. I feel that Bellerin can have the same impact that Bale had for the spuddies except that he can be the one which delivers the EPL title to AFC. Technically speaking Bellerin is a footballer not just a player. He has been schooled with a high technical level and i feel that he can play in multiple positions. He has a footballing brain not just like like many players who are simply headless chicks when the going gets tough.

  33. potter says:

    Latest paper slant on Bellerin is that he will replace Alves at Barca . They will never give it up.

  34. rico says:

    Devil, the storylines were fun too..

    That’s him potter, together with David Soul who turned singer with ‘don’t give up on us baby’… Dire….. Lol

  35. Rick says:

    Evening All,
    Tonights U21 team is iLiev,Maitland-Niles, O’connor,Beilik Oronde-Ottewill Diaby, Arteta, Gnabry, Wilshere Crowley and Iwobi

    Subs Huddart, Pleguezuelo, Dobson Zelalem Mavdidi

  36. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, you can include Silver Lady and Black Bean Soup, to the David Soul list of classic dire sh*t.

    Though his redeeming feature is the love of The Arsenal..lol

  37. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Potter, don’t see it listed anywhere.

    Potter, hope your well on the road to recovery, i have managed to get the questions from a quiz a couple of weeks ago. If you think they will be of use to you, get my details of Rico and i gladly pass them on.

  38. potter says:

    Cheers , I can’t find it either , you can watch Man utd’s game though. I always need new questions and new ideas to keep it fresh and quiz nights for the summer season start 2 weeks from now.

  39. Rick says:

    Hi Potter sadley no stream. They only show games in the top half.
    How is your recovery going mate is the pain easing ?

  40. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, i just knew you would know the David Soul back catalogue of classics..lol

    You can blame DD for introducing Soul to The Arsenal….lol

  41. potter says:

    Only problem is getting the sleep pattern back , The drugs seem to wear off every 4 hours or so and it wakes me and then the wife up so we are getting disturbed sleep. as for the walking no problem , it seems that both legs are the same length ,so hopefully it’s just a matter of time. I see Iwobi has a second.

  42. fat-gun Ug says:

    Good day all gooners…
    which Diaby is being reported about? the Diaby who is more famous for some other sh*t other than actually being on the football pitch?
    The new fitness guy should be put in the Guinness book of records…
    Wenger may pull a master shocker!!!! wait for it………………….. one year extension to Diaby’s contract on pay as you play terms and conditions…*&(((&&^%%. stranger things have happened before..
    Hi Rico

  43. Rick says:

    H/T 2-1. I am hearing that after our goaly gifted them a goal we have been in complete control. The really good news is that Serge and Diaby are running the game. There should be more goals 2nd half.

  44. Rick says:

    Thats good news mate. I know the effects that Drugs have on the sleep pattern.
    In tonighgts game Bielick is playing centre back and is looking good.

  45. Hell Raising Devil says:

    An improved contract for Diaby, he will give us a monster year and then we sell him to Barca or Manure for 25 mill. 😆

    Good evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Bielik as CB???? that is new news to me??? how is he playing Rick????

    How is Iliev playing?? gifted them a goal??? was it accidental or is his level not up to standard???

  46. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good on you Potter. Hope you get well soon. Try to do the therapy as you are told mate…..not a tad more and not a tad less. Either way it will have repercussion. So take care mate.

  47. rico says:

    Hi fat-gun… I think it’s Diaby who used to wear the number 2 shirt…. lol

    Think he’ll be gone in the summer….

  48. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Yes he may have given them the league but I still cannot believe we got 24mill for Judas Persie while we got 16mill for TommyV, 16 mill for Song, 24 mill for the togolump.

    maybe 25mill for Diaby after a monster year????

    stranger things have happened.

  49. Rick says:

    Mavididi on for Arteta 60 mins
    Pleguezuelo on for Diaby 70 mins
    Mavididi makes it 3-1 on 71mins.
    Coach I am being told that Beilik is looking good and that Diaby was very impressive in the time he waws on the pitch,

    Ilieve dropped the ball for a tap in.

  50. Rick says:

    Full Time 4-1 Iwobi completed hat-trick.
    This win moves us up from 6th to 4th. With games in hand of those above us we are now back in the promotion race.
    Highlights from the game should be on the player tomorrow coach.

  51. allezkev says:

    Cheers for the info Rick…
    Might see one or two from Arteta, Diaby, Wilshere, Gnabry and Debuchy, brought into the squad for the FACup?
    Iwobi certainly seems to be on a hot streak of form atm Rick.
    How do you rate him overall?
    1st team potential or what???

    Also Mavididi (spelling?) how do you rate him Rick?
    He seems to be a useful goalscorer as well…

  52. allezkev says:

    Bielik at centre half sounds a good move…
    If he can perform in both C/B and C/M then that’s gotta be positive…

  53. allezkev says:

    Coach, always have a look on a website called Arsenalist.
    They have highlights from 1st team games and the odd reserve game.
    That’s where I found the Arsenal XI vs Brentford games’ goals.
    Hopefully they might have some stuff from tonight’s U21 game.

  54. allezkev says:

    Rick, on a serious note, from what I’ve read, Diaby played 72 mins tonight and was the best player on the field…

    Now he’s only had a couple of run-outs, so that doesn’t mean that Diaby is gonna suddenly become the greatest comeback since Lazarus, but maybe Shad is working a bit of magic with our permacrock???

  55. rico says:

    Morning Devil and all..

    Beautiful sunny morning here too….

    Diaby played 72 minutes, wow, I’m pleased for him….

  56. Hell Raising Devil says:

    but I have heard its colder up there atm. here we have temperatures of around 18 degrees.

    good to see Diaby play 72 mins. suddenly with Diaby, Arteta and jack back the midfield looks rosy. Cazorla, Ozil, Coquelin, Aaron, and the above three plus flamini. It is good for the team. hopefully the rythm will not be disrupted.

  57. tsgh says:

    Diaby is the best player… according to Zidane 7 years ago anyways… lol

    Morning Rico, Kev, Dev and all..

    King Abou is back…

    Capito Arteta is also back…

  58. rico says:

    It’ll be around 17/18 degrees later Devil, right now it’s chilly though…

    I wonder if Diaby will play for the first team before the season ends…

  59. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Jeorg Baird

    For a night that started so negatively for Arsenal U21s, with a mistake by goalkeeper Deyan Iliev allowing Ollie Shenton to open the scoring for Stoke City, by the end of the night’s events there were a multitude of positives to take away for the club as a whole.

    Alex Iwobi enhanced his rapidly-growing reputation with a well-taken hat-trick that emphasised his key attributes of pace and skill, substitute Stephy Mavdidi struck his first goal at this level, Jack Wilshere and Serge Gnabry both completed 90 minutes, with the former more heavily involved in proceedings, club captain Mikel Arteta played an hour, Krystian Bielik was composed on his first appearance at Emirates Stadium and Julio Pleguezuelo returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to play the last 18 minutes.

    Above all that, though, perhaps the most significant aspect of the game was the performance of Abou Diaby, who was Arsenal’s best player for the 72 minutes that he was on the field. It isn’t currently clear whether Diaby, the club’s longest-serving player, will be offered a new deal, with his current contract expiring at the end of June.

    The Frenchman’s performance this evening demonstrated just why so many Arsenal supporters yearn for him to be granted an extended stay. Diaby set up Iwobi’s second goal with a precise pass, but his all-round game was hugely impressive. Whether he can replicate that at first-team level, and, crucially, whether he can stay fit for a lengthy period of time, is still questionable, but tonight Diaby showed that, for all the setbacks he has endured over the past few years, he can’t be discounted just yet.

    As soon as it was announced that Diaby, Wilshere and Arteta would be starting the game, an Arsenal win was expected. Gnabry and Bielik were also involved from the offset, with the latter being deployed at centre-back.

    Arsenal had the first opportunity of the game, with Diaby shooting over, but it was a moment of carelessness from Iliev that led to the young Gunners falling behind in the eight minute.

    The Macedonian goalkeeper made a save but pushed the ball straight into the path of Shenton, who found the net from close range.

    Arsenal immediately set about mounting a response, with Crowley seeing his audacious effort diverted for a corner. Wilshere was gradually beginning to assert himself on proceedings, with the England international coming close with a free-kick before producing a sublime piece of skill to work his way towards goal only for Daniel Gyollai to be equal to his effort.

    An enterprising run from Diaby culminated in the midfielder being brought down in the area, but there were no claims for a penalty and, in truth, the award of a spot-kick would have been rather harsh on Stoke.

    During last week’s friendly victory over Brentford Wilshere and Crowley exchanged some neat passes and the pair repeated the feat here, with their intricate move preceding an effort by Gnabry, who couldn’t get the better of Gyollai.

    Arsenal were soon level, though, and, just as Stoke’s goal stemmed from an opposition mistake, so too did the Gunners’ first strike of the evening, with Iwobi capitalising on a slack pass before finishing well.

    Wilshere and Gnabry continued to threaten thereafter, with Diaby then playing an intelligent pass into the path of Iwobi, whose powerful effort went just wide of the target.

    The same two players combined as Arsenal went ahead just before the break, with Diaby’s precise ball being latched onto by Iwobi, who continued his excellent form with a fine finish.

    Stoke had battled well, but never looked likely to recover once they were behind. Diaby’s showcase of his ability continued into the second-half, with a powerful surge down the right flank almost resulting in another goalscoring opportunity.

    Iliev did well to keep out Charlie Ward’s free-kick at the other end, before Mavididi was introduced in place of Arteta. It was a good run-out for the Spaniard, but, despite the fact that he played some clever passes, he was beaten for pace a little too easily on some occasions.

    Mavididi wasted little time in making it 3-0, with the striker, who was preferred to Austin Lipman for a place on the bench, lashing home after Crowley and Wilshere’s efforts were repelled.

    Iwobi missed a chance to add further gloss to the scoreline when he shot wide following Gnabry’s astute dragback, but he made amends not long afterwards when he raced past the stranded Stoke defence and finished with aplomb.

    There was still time for Mavididi to come close to adding another, but the damage had long since been done and, despite a shaky start, it turned out to be a very good night indeed for Arsenal.

  60. rico says:

    ‘Mavididi was introduced in place of Arteta. It was a good run-out for the Spaniard, but, despite the fact that he played some clever passes, he was beaten for pace a little too easily on some occasions’.

    Some things never change… 😉

  61. tsgh says:

    Yes .. and JW too…

    hopefully he is hungry for progress.

    Serge has been back for a couple of weeks now. He even featured for DfB u-21 against England

  62. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Looks like it’s brightening up.
    Has Gnabry been injured? I haven’t heard anything about him for ages.

  63. Snaparse says:

    Good news re arteta and Co… .. If diaby is over his injuries I’m all in for a new contract but that is a big IF so… ……. With everybody back we are looking very good as the season comes to and end….. second place finish and the fa cup and I will be very happy

  64. Joe says:

    Morning all, come tsgh the info on Gnabry was in a Rico post you need to pay more attention. 😉
    But seriously it’s great news that Gnabry and Diaby are back playing and Jack as the media say is injury prone as if it’s he’s fault will get some protection.

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