Amongst all the usual pre-transfer window speculation, Arsene Wenger has totally ruled out buying a centre back.
We have plenty of centre backs, fortunately they can play on the flanks too as they are at the moment. We are not looking for any centre backs. No chance.
He also talks about the situation at left and right back:
It depends now on how quickly Sagna will come back, He has started to run a little bit.
I have to see what is available – if I have a good opportunity then why not? But I haven’t made any enquiry yet, so for the moment no Wayne Bridge or anyone else.
It is of course something we look at but as well it depends on how long you have to take them, They have a big impact on your wages as well. If you have to sign a player for three or four years and then you have three or four left backs, only one can play, so they are not happy.
It can only be a short-term solution for us because we have bought Santos, we have Gibbs, we have Vermaelen who can play there, so we do not need a long-term solution.
I can’t see him getting cover for the right back situation as Johan Djourou is very near a return, in fact he could be back for Tuesdays fixture against Wolves, which is good news. Gibbs as we all know has undergone surgery and will be out for another four weeks at least.
The news on Sagna however is positive:
You could see that he’s a bit ahead of schedule. We have to be careful but physically he will be ready very quickly because he worked very hard in the gym. We think the end of January is a reasonable target for him.
I think the moral of those two stories are, Wenger will get whoever costs the less, so goodness knows who that will be. My guess is Wayne Bridge and surely we won’t have to wait too long to find out?
In fact despite all that Wenger says, we have to hope that he has pretty much sorted out who is coming in January by now as the players we need are needed now, not on a 31st January cheap deal, as by then a few will be coming back.
We need a quick fix, otherwise all that has been done could start to chipped away at, we are on a good run, a very good run but just one or two more injuries to our defence could see us in dire straights…
Surely the owner and his merry men wouldn’t let that happen….
Would they?
Finally, Francis Coquelin is in talks over a new four-year deal, which is good news – however he may still head off out on loan next month.
Have a good day all, guess the boys will be heading to the local Texaco Garage late this afternoon….. 😉
Just love seeing the junior gunners. Saw pictures of their Christmas party on the official website. Ooh to be a gooner. Morning HH.
Morning all…
Morning Rico, Nice one.
I read that Henry may be a short term stayer, and Ryo Miyaichi will be given more games, a possible Wayne Bridge Short term Loan, and Sagnas Back at the end of January, IT looks very much like a quiet window for us, that would be very Disappointing.
An old striker a washed up left back and an untried Ryo, an almost fit Sagna Not a good sign, not a good sign at all.
Hi Rico, good news on the injury front huh? Sagna on his way back? What a great news on Christmas eve.
Morning Steve
I think we will know by the 5/6 th Jan just what AW is going to do this window, he can talk and deny all he likes but we all know he speaks little truth when talking about signing players – don’t forget he said he wasn’t in the market on the last few days of the summer and then we bought who we did….
If he settles for just Bridge and Henry I will be surprised and very very dissapointed as it shows the club really don’t give a poop!
In principle, yes it’s great news goonster, but i’m sure the word ‘set-back’ will be associated with him before long 😉
Morning Steve…he ll sign a few players. To keep robin he needs to get off his butt. Gourcuff JV and Henry for me.
I’m really chuffed about Coquelin, he’s going be a quality player in the years to come – just hope the story is true….
I’m Joining you and the gang, Optim-ism
No he won’t Rico sagna won’t suffer any set back. Am positive.
Morning all, TH looks like its a done deal…..now JV and a n other please!!!!
Congratulations on the knighthood Sir Steve!! Had to read yesterday’s post again, absolutely blinding!!! 🙂
Yeah lee gourmet!
Did I say gourmet? Eeeek I meant gourcuff!
I hope you are right goonster
Morning Lee, i’d be happy with that tbh – simples 🙂
Thats more like it Steve, you are usually the opitimstic one, we have all caught the bug 😉
It was indeed a cracker yesterday, can’t wait for next years Christmas Carol by Steve 🙂
Boo!! I really hope we get cracking on the transfers once the window opens!! We have been getting the results, lately but we need better players, for sure. No, I don’t mean Wayne Bridge. 😉
Steve, I looooved your Twelve Days. Burst out laughing reading it on my phone while in a meeting, and my boss gives me this look. Well… 😀
Hello, rico. 🙂 And goonster. Howdy? Hope you guys are keeping warm!
Got to go visiting today 🙁
Back before it’s dark though 🙂
Have a good day all and catch you later….
Moring agag, got to nip off now….
Hey, Lee. 🙂 How are your Christmas preps?
goonster, you already thinking of your Christmas dinner… 😀
Morning agag…you can say that again.
All going ok AGAG apart from my 3yr old daughter has got measles….she’s covered in spots poor little girl!! 🙁
How about you? I bet your flexible friend has taken a hammering over the past couple of weeks!!! 😉
Good Morning Gooners
Happy Christmas Eve to all.
Good Morning Rico, interesting post.
Thought’s on TH14 everyone???
Morning Lee/Stan/Agag/Sir Steve/and Wath eventually…
Lee, Steve was Knighted for services to InterNet Blogging Excellence. 🙂
Morning kev, I have a bad feeling about TH14 joining us back on loan. I just don’t want his name tainted with mediocrity.
Stan, if Wenger, or Thierry for that matter, didn’t think he was capable, then it wouldn’t/won’t happen.
Personally i think it would be fantastic. Give the whole place a fantastic lift.
Reckon TH14 could be worth 12 to 14 goals to us.
Cheers Lee, Morning Ak You have started somthing now. I can only see nine points in the next 3 games but i think Wolves could be tricky fixture.
And just to whet the appertite;
Hi Agag, hope alls well with you, has the weather bucked up there now.
SSP, it’s only what you deserve mate… 😀
What are your thought’s on TH14..??
I know he won’t be the old TH14, but i have good vibes about his return.
I’d prefer if Henry came back in a coaching role rather than a player, we need a 30+ goals a year player.
12 to 14 goals AK? How did you come up with that? He ll only play the last 20 minutes of every game. I don’t see him getting more than 2 to 5 goals am sorry.
Poor girl, Lee. 🙁 Hope she is well soon. I remember having been made to drink gallons of lemon juice when I had it. Don’t know what for. It’s a good thing the flexible friend is understanding and giving. 🙂 🙂
Hey, AK. How are you? Finally done with shopping/bribery??? 😀 Oh, and I stand corrected about the grant of knighthood…
Sir Steve, weather’s gorgeous! Sunny but cool. 😉
goonster, I agree about TH. As I’ve said previously, even Thierry will find it hard to live up to his own history.
He loves the Arsenal and he was always coming back in one guise or another, I must admit i never ever thought we would see him play for us again, We need a centre forward for the future, and thats the road i believe we should be taking, but if it happens , he will probably score, he was born to score and if he only got the one people would talk about it for ever. for any very young supporter it will be like his statue has come to life
Well sorry to burst your bubble Steve. Henry ll struggle. I ll like him to prove me wrong though.
rico, that’s a looooong visit. Hope it is an enjoyble one, at least.
Stan, if TH14 does 3 months with us, how many games is that?
EPL, CL, FAC, 15? 18?
Coming on in the last 20 mins as you say, against tiring defences, with the chances we make.
I think 12 to 14 is a realistic total mate.
Agag, just put the turkey on for tomorrow.
I know my place… 😉
Vitamin C in lemons Agag, loads of it…. [Dr AK]
SSP, 10.42.
That’s superb mate.
AK he’s only with us for 2 months. How on earth will he get that many games. Knowing wenger he ll only bring him in around the 80th minute of every game. There’s no way Henry ll get 14 goals.
Nostalgia is one thing AK and i love it, but helping him to train is one thing him playing is another, For me a quality striker with a few years in him to help pick up the trophies we all crave for, show commitment for the future and leave the legends to the history books. His last year for us showed me he had done his bit for us, and i wished him well, Now i look to the future.
Ah well, we shall see lads…
I’ve got a few jobs to do, so you all take it easy.
See ya’ll lata.
And calm down Stan… 😉
I love turkey, AK. How do you stuff yours? I slaved away for hours in the kitchen earlier. 😉 Done with my bit now, and the experts have taken over. 😉
goonster, you have to admit, TH would be an acceptable stop-gap signing. Better than what we have currently, it would seem. And he is a sight for sore eyes. 😉 Just saying.
Theres a lot of talk about our loaning Wayne Bridge for a couple of months and because we were short i thought maybe a good thing, but many supporters were quick to inform me that he wasn’t up to it, when i thought about it, i realised they were right, why do we want a player that can’t get a game for his own club because he is not good enough, where is our vision, buy a good left back now and when they all come back offload the worst, thats fore thinking.
Later AK…
Yeah agag but he’s already under a tremendous pressure from fans like AK to score 14 goals in two months.
Internet acting up. 🙁 TH just might do it, goonster. Can’t say it would be awful to have him around. 😉 Of course, I’d prefer to get Hazard or Gotze or vdW or…
Hello everyone. TH 14 would not be the best of attacking options, but he’ll certainly leave a mark at the club, with his experience and professionalism.
Dzeko on loan, for 6 months anyone? 😀
Good afternoon Guys and Chicks of the Gunners faith.
This is for you all……..dare I say my second family.
Sir Steve, just had to read your post again this morning. And before today’s post to be precise. And even though I knew what I was going to read I still was smiling all the way through. Its just like watching Tom and Jerry cartoons with the little prince and even though I know that Tom is going to be bashed in the face with the dustbin lid I still crack my sides with laughter.
TH will play on the left hand side if he comes. He will not play in the middle. However he might play there also to rest RVP.
TH has already 25 years. Fans have in your mind quickly and need to play, but these attributes are past. It was good that I cheated. In addition to the speed loss is the loss of strength, agility and fighting power. I also liked to play football with all my attributes that when I was 25 …
Bridge for me is a bad option.
Park is no longer part of the squad?
Still can not understand how with the current injury, any more injured players and players sent off, without Gervinho,Chamack and Fripong, can loan Coquelin.
Th14 would add maturity 2 d team.i’ld say wit d inclusion of mature players i.e Arteta.we’ve seen d difference.
Dunno what all the fuss is about over terry henry, probably the most over-rated player to put on an arsenal shirt,
Bah humbug everyone, christmas is cancelled.
Who is he Micko, this terry enry?? Does he score goals?
Hello Lee, good to see you finally re-surfaced after your office party, we were worried about ya !
Been a fairly pissy few days mate! How you doin? All ready for chrimbo?
Oh yes, none of the pubs open here on christmas day so I won’t be getting a free pint tomorrow.
I’m over for the qpr game, a lot of turkey to be eaten between now and then me thinks.
in meditation for the open market.
Afternoon guys and gals 🙂
The local gives out the free pint mick! Thats where i’ll be a bit later! 🙂
The pub or midnight mass paul, that’s a tricky one !
I thought it would be Micko Mass 😆
Pushed the boat out today and bought the girlfriend some self cleaning oven gloves and a pair of ginger tights, I really do spoil her, can’t wait to see face in the morning.
Hi rico, you all excited or just knackered, looking forward to tomorrow ?
Sorry Micko, phone rang 🙁
Looking forward to Santa popping down the chimney, haven’t even lit the fire 😉
Boo! Merry Christmas, everyone! DG, I loved all the DJ Pillow and McBlanket bits yesterday. Very funny.
Micko, if you need help shopping… 😉
rico, busy bee? We had a fantastic dinner. I’m woozy from too much of everything. 😀
You had Christmas lunch already agag 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family too 😛
Happy Christmas agag, appartently paul mc’cartney is very upset as his new mrs is spending twice as much on shoes this xmas than his previous one ! and just how busy is a bee ?
Woozy is good in my books.
Have a good Christmas Eve folks.
Happy Christmas to you Micko 😛 😛
That joke is bad, yellow card 😉 😉
Hope you guys pop on for just two mins in the morning, just to see who is wishing HH a Happy Christmas 🙂
I’m heading off guys, have a wonderful evening, whatever you are up to …..
There will be a Christmas Day post 🙂
Nighty Night all…….
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Good Evening all you fantastic Gooners.
Good Evening Rico.
Merry Merry Christmas Agag. Woozy eh?
Steady on girl, give that GG a rest. 🙂
Well i’ve gotta pop on here tomorrow, to see what Rico has up her sleeve.
Good nighty
Merry Christmas ladies and gentlemen.
Good night kev…
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