Midfielder Signed, No Sanchez and Campbell off to Italy….

Morning All,

Well we have signed young England International midfielder Ben Sheaf from West Ham. It seems our new academy boss is trying to get the academy and youth teams back on track. Lets hope he does and as quickly as possible.

The stories doing the rounds today are that Alexis Sanchez is now wanted by Man City and that our offer isn’t as much as Barca want, Am sure it isn’t they will want to get as much as possible seeing as they have offered such a ridiculous amount for Suarez. Lets see how that one pans out, lots of gossip but as usual we will see where he ends up only when wearing the shirt of his new team. Lets hope he doesn’t fall for the lure of the oil cash from Citeh or PSG.

Sami Khedira is linked again with the ever UN-reliable El Mundo saying we have offered 30million euro’s… really when he is in the last year of his contract, surely not. Lastly Joel Campbells agent is saying lots and hinting they have many offers for Joel from teams in Italy, would we really sell him when he’s not even kicked a ball for us….?

Onto today’s post… Thanx AllezKev…

I have been watching the World Cup with a lorry-load of mixed feelings.

No, nothing to do with England as their demise was expected.

The mixed feelings are borne out of an overriding frustration. A frustration of seeing many talented footballers, footballers that I like, like Benzema, Greizmann, Valbuena, Alexis Sanchez, Di Maria, Khadira, Gotze, Vidal, Remy ( 😉 ) … knowing that as I watch them perform that I will never see them performing in an Arsenal shirt any time soon.

They are players that can make a difference, Players that can turn perennial finishers in 4th place usually on the last day of the season into Premier League title winners.

They are players that can make perennial 1st knock-out stage casualties into realistic contenders, yes even winners of the trophy with big ears…
But our manager and owner lack the ambition to go for these players.

Why…?

Is it a simple case of economics? The difference between finishing 4th and finishing 1st, in the Premier League isn’t so great in terms of financial rewards.
Likewise neither is losing in the 1st knock-out stage of the Champions League when compared to going all the way and winning the bloody thing.

To bring in the players that can make a difference is probably deemed too inflationary and not cost effective by Wenger and Cowboy Stan so the club settles for financial conservatism over ambition and is just happy to do enough to get by and get the big bucks with the minimum of expenditure by finishing 4th etc etc etc.

This lack of intent in the transfer market means no sustained challenge for the Premier League title and not a prayer in the Champions League.
It’s a situation that will continue as long as all the season tickets are sold and the merchandise is shifted at the many Emirates outlets where exciting and varied rubbish with Arsenal on it is sold…

Of course the transfer rumours will rumble on as the club takes the proverbial piss out of the fans who have coughed their hard earned cash to renew season tickets by the end of May but don’t expect any meaningful transfer business to be done before late August and probably the 31st.
We’re linked with many star players we make pitiful offers and treat transfer negotiations like we are holier than thou yet hardly anything happens but we’re told we “tried”… we made an offer, we were in negotiations…… Yes well seems to me like making an offer and offering the going rate are two different things.

Our club is where it is and it will remain where it is for the foreseeable future. Cowering into submission at the feet of the Petro-Dollar clubs, despite a record amount in the clubs coffers we seem to refuse to want to do business in the “real” world of modern day football, It’s maybe a dignified way of looking at things but in reality it doesn’t work and it certainly does not get us the best players does it look at the many that we have missed out on due to the way we try to do business and skin flint….!

Our manager will not spend or is it the owner…

Maybe Arsene doesn’t trust his own judgement anymore when it comes to big money transfers?

So, for me, 2014-15 will be all about another nail-biting finish to the season, sweating on 4th place and of course the customary exit from the CL in the first round knock-out stage, an event as regular as clockwork…

Hopefully we’ll have another cup-run, I wouldn’t say no to that. Any Silverware is better than none and last seasons success was a bit of a blast wasn’t it?!

Yes, Arsenal could become a bit of a cup-team.
I’ll drink a couple of Peroni’s to that…
Wemberlee, Wemberlee…..

256 thoughts on “Midfielder Signed, No Sanchez and Campbell off to Italy….

  1. Nickie says:

    Morning All,

    Nice post.

    This “S” news is so hot and cold. I will be very pee’d off if he signs for Liverpool now. I really like him, if he signs for Poo I will hate him lol. We’ve been bigged up and up that we’re going to sign him that I feel it’s guaranteed. What a silly way to think.

  2. Wath says:

    It’s Kev being grumpy Bt….. I happen to think we’l buy top top top talent…!

    I’ll get me coat………….. lol

  3. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Sunshine lollipops and Beach bums.

    Good post Kev. But a bit depressing mate. you should write one to cheer us up. At least take the mickey out of Goonie the blonde farter.

    So many players who will never pull on the shirt and yet they deserve to be Afc players.

    And so many players who pull on the famous red shirt and yet they do not even deserve to play for the AFC under 8.

  4. Nickie says:

    Wath it’s done already. Been walking about the office with a big smile on my face for the last few days believing that he’s actually are. I’m going to be distraught if I see him in a Liverpool shirt, I don’t think i’d be able to handle it haha

  5. Hell Raising Devil says:

    oh just remembered……if we win nought next season, the press will soon jump on the bandwagon………its been a year since they last won a trophy.

    Or….just one trophy in the last ten years.

    or something like that

  6. Scott From Oz says:

    Kev, you haven’t been the same since I whopped you at ping pong!
    You used to smile 🙂
    Morning guys.

  7. Wath says:

    You got that right Dev, way to many last few years have worn the shirt and not deserved to be within a million miles of one..!

  8. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Wath, Kev maybe grumpy but i’m not, Arsenal are a big club in most aspects, but lack real ambition to take the final step.

  9. Wath says:

    Nickie, I’ll put you in touch with Stan, he got through the heartbreak of Mata although he is still mentally scared or maybe thats just mental full stop but in any case he’ll be able to help “IF” “S” don’t come to us..

    Is it just me or are these comments from Campbells agent a tad annoying…. talk about posturing… seems they after a new contract already and or a move away to cream the transfer fee…!

  10. Wath says:

    Bt, totally agree mate, we go on and on about big club year after year after year BUT we fail to act like one where it matter…! Our transfer dealings are pathetic and as has been said over and over the way we deal is so high and mighty it’s why we lose out. Blinker approach is pathetic.

  11. Nickie says:

    I swear Campbell and his agent said/hinted that we were a stepping stone for a bigger club? If that’s the case he can go now, got no time for people like that that will use us for a bigger pay rise.

    Mata, Hazard, Higuain, Sahin and many more have broke my heart but I keep going back for more. When will I ever learn?! My minds telling me noooo but my body, my bodies telling me yeaaahhhh haha

  12. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil, yes, there have been plenty of…how should we say it…..shit…..players in the kit, but if we go on a run of success in the coming years, we might well look back and agree it was worth it.
    If not, and especially if we fail due to a lack of spending, then it was a waste of time.

  13. Woody says:

    I can’t help but think that Sanchez will end up at Liverpool. We shoot ourselves in the foot every time.

    Barca will do whatever they can to get Suarez and they hate us. Put those two together and what do you get?

    Personally, I think Barca owe us BIG TIME. Let’s see…

    Overmars, Petit, Hleb, Henry, Fabregas, Song (ok we were happy for him to go). Added to this that they never pay us up front and these payments seem to drag on.

    We should be doing everything we can to sort this transfer out. I do think that us fans can get a little bit over the top about transfers at time, but this guy really would make a massive difference to us.

    He’s a bit more direct than some of our players, which I believe is something we’ve been missing. I really hope we get him, but I don’t have much faith.

  14. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Wath, for that amount of money, i reckon someone at Arsenal could answer it and bank the money. lol

  15. Nickie says:

    I love those players dearly and yes we did secure Ozil. Wenger needs to show that wasn’t a fluke, it wasn’t a transfer that landed on his lap. The only way he can do that currently is get Sanchez. I think the ability to close a deal for Arsenal is one of the things that frustrates us so much, we seem incapable. Doesn’t help that the media basically say Sanchez is set on Arsenal. 2 Minutes later Liverpool are going to pip us to him, why do they tug our heart strings like that. I say to myself every year don’t get caught up in transfers, you know what it’s like. But every year I find myself tangled in it all struggling to break free lol

  16. Woody says:

    I haven’t seen enough of him to say that Scott, but from what I have seen he is just the kind of player we need, to offer something different.

    The problem is I just can’t see it happening. We will end up with someone like Mandzukic and I can’t bear it

  17. Nickie says:

    I fell for Mata, Hig and Sahin. Hazard was a long shot. Show me the nearest psychiatrist please

  18. Wath says:

    Woody, Agree with you that Sanchez is exactly what we need but lets not forget the media are there to sell stories it’s that fact we fall for most of them..?

    Has anyone asked Sanchez who he wants to play for…? Has anyone asked us if we want him and how much we prepared to pay…!

    Answers that are not public knowledge so why do fans fall for it…?

    We need to close deals better thats a fact so lets hope we sort a good few over the next couple of weeks.

  19. Wath says:

    Nickie, As said mate his name is Stan he goes under the name of Goonie the blonde farter……….

  20. Nickie says:

    I fall for it because he’s exactly what we need. It makes so much sense for him and I’ve been sold on this b*llox that we can compete and will sign players. It’s because I want to see Arsenal do well so badly. Obviously I know the outcome but we can hope.

  21. tsgh says:

    Who held a gun to your head to write this post Mr Kev? 😛

    A very good post and a circumspect one as it were…

    You hit the nail on the head… we are where we are…

    I am waiting for the ‘ football club should be about winning trophies and not making money’ comment.

    morning HH familia…

  22. Nickie says:

    haha work offer a Bupa scheme but I always opt out. Maybe now is the time.

    Sorry for having dreams

  23. Wath says:

    That’s the issue though Nickie, we can compete and we can pay proper wages…. We just won’t pay the going rate ad only the Ozil buy has changed that……… Lets hope we continue along those lines because that should be our aim…!

  24. Payteen Smith says:

    Well, I’m still keep the faith in Wenger cuz I blv He’ll surprise every Gunners Fan. I’m just waiting to see what will happen come ending of August then I can make up my mind but for now I’m backing AW to give us the best football and trophies from this coming season. I just can’t wait for the league to start.

  25. Oguntuase Amos says:

    At least you have tried to write something and to make people notice you regardless of the veracity and sensibility of your write-up. It is not a sin for a business entity to balance its book as to stay in business. It is only in sports that some people think money must be spent lavishly, wastefully and scandalously not minding the source of such money whether stolen, embezzled or got by other dubious means. Arsenal FC remains a credible brand that has sustained it’s legacy and ethics and would never throw their pride away or sell to some financial terrorists who are using stolen wealth to destroy the beautiful game. Wenger is my man because he has refused to be enslaved by moneythe new demon of football, he has kept his pride.

  26. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning fellow Gooners.

    Kev – Interesting article, but so pessimistic, I’m surprised you didn’t write it under the BrainwashedKev byline. The transfer window has only been open for two and a bit days. Most of the better targets we are being linked with are still playing in the WC.

    History doesn’t always repeat itself. Give the club a chance. If we are still where we are today come late July to mid-August then you will likely be proven right. Until then, I remain optimistic.

  27. Woody says:

    Wath – all the reports are saying that he’s prefer London to Liverpool, but are they just a best guess?

    You can bet your life that both Barca and Liverpool want him to be part of the Suarez deal and I firmly believe that Barca wouldn’t want him to come to us.

    I don’t know why they have it in for us – maybe they have tried to get Wenger a few times and he’s rejected them so they want to make life difficult…I dunno, but it seems weird to me that they treat us different to any other team out there.

  28. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, just for you ” a football club should be about winning trophies and not making money” lol.

  29. Wath says:

    Officially Nickie yes but deals could be done before that.. official registration was July 1st…!

    Not a lover of Barca woody for many reasons BUT we do know player power in the modern game so if he genuinely does want to come to us if we pay the right price am sure we can make it happen, we need to want to make it happen thats the issue.

  30. tsgh says:

    Hiya Scott.. we will definitely sign 2 top players we fans will be very pleased with…

    A few things have to be in place first…
    1.Vidal or Pogba’s clubs for 2014-2015
    2. How quickly the bin-dippers want the Jaws fee paid so as to invest in…
    3. James Rodriguez’s future… a front 3 of James, CR07 and Bale will put 1 of Benzema,Isco and Di Maria on tenter hooks…

    We have cash to burn… aside from the AS Monaco, VAlencia and Ath who are not breaching FFP rules the likes of Chavs, City, Psg, AS Monaco have to sell if they decide to buy big…

    Its all about having luck in this window this time if we decide to play the same cards as always…

  31. Micko says:

    tsgh, just waiting for someone to say ‘Arsenal stood for winning long before entertainment came along’

    Nickie, I was being just a little sarky !

  32. tsgh says:

    Lol Bt… some things never change 😉

    Hi Cg, you missed the post I wrote from your idea/suggestion…

  33. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    Kev great to get one over the west ham lads always bragging about browny signing for them last year.

    Been here before ain’t we,it seems par for the coarse for every gooner this charade over our check book signings.
    We seem shit scared to mention who we’re after in case another team make a bid,so instead the press come out with every tom,dick and harry,and we have to wait and watch all the big boys sign who they like.
    Bring back the brown paper bags.

  34. Woody says:

    I hope so Wath, I really do.

    I guess, as a Gooner, you lose all expectation. I’ve always been in support of the fact that we haven’t been able to buy big players in recent years, but that should be a thing of the past now, so if we end up with Mandzukic, Remy and some other ‘bargins’ I won’t be impressed.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’d take Remy as a second striking option, as he can play wide as well, but if he’s paired a Mandzukic then I’m not interested.

    We need that next level. Look what Suarez did to Liverpool. Let’s be honest, if he hadn’t missed the first 6 games they would probably have won the league. Without him they were lucky to be top 4.

  35. BrainwashedKev says:

    BT, it’s the only way to handle it mate, low expectations = less disappointment…

    Cheers Nicky…

    Coach I will try to write an upbeat post this evening, promise. 😉

    Scott, I am still hungover Digger…
    Looking forward to your return.

  36. Scott From Oz says:

    Woody, saying without Suarez for 6 games cost them the League is like saying without the injury to Ramsey we would have.
    Keep in mind, he’s always good for a suspension each season 🙂

  37. Wath says:

    Spot on Wavy, If we get “S” and then backed that up with Remy for me that makes us way more dangerous up front and also scary quick when you add Theo…!

    It’s the same old thing… Show intent and spend what we have.. it’s a considerable amount of money. It doesn’t win trophies stuck in the bank.

  38. tsgh says:

    Wath to me JC, S and OG will be more than enough unless AW is going to play 2 upfront next season which I doubt.

    Not there is Sir-No-Goal, Poldi, Theo etc plus Ozil as a false 9 next season too…

  39. Wath says:

    Morning Kev, how’s the headache….! Must I remind Scott that you said he can’t drink and is shit at ping pong…?

  40. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – Some great points in your 11:20 a.m. post.

    Sorry I missed your your article the other day. I’ll try to catch it later today, if I have time.

    I can only do so many late late nights in a row, especially when the first game of the day for the WC kick-off at 09:00 hrs. my time. The day’s main article for the House are usually posted around 1:30 to 2:30 a.m. As an “old farting” as Stan put it, I can’t burn the candle at both ends and function during the day.

  41. Wath says:

    Ts, for the fee Remy worth adding to the squad… lets have a go on 4 fronts for a change and know that even with our normal injuries we’ll still be mega strong… wouldn’t that be novel…!

  42. tsgh says:

    Bt, too much of a gamble mate..

    The Havard Analyst say we are the 2nd most efficient club in Europe after FC Bavaria. Why change that model… 😉

    Even the Old Lady of Turin is folowing our approach…

  43. tsgh says:

    Totally agree Wath but as we know… 🙂 AW is always scared of making strikers unhappy.. Kanu, Wiltord in the past and Suker just before those 2…

    AW couldn’t rotate 4 or 5 strikers in his 2 upfront approach… at least from the outside looking in…

    😀 Kev

  44. tsgh says:

    Cg like you and Scott i am sure we will buy at least 2X 7/10 grade players…

    If we play badly in preseason.. things will be brought forward a week or 2 imo…

  45. Wath says:

    Thing is Ts we now “supposedly” play with 3 strikers so easy to keep players happier up front.

    We play footie we not doing Harvard analysts… Harvard analysts need kicking in the bollox and getting told to fcuk off….! Bout time football people run the club and did things properly hence the analysts aint got a clue…!

  46. Wath says:

    I think waiting on others and waiting around on other deals is in the past we have the finances not to really worry about anyone it’s about us making up our mind who we want and getting them and stuff worrying about others. Stop the little club mentality and act like the big club we portray ourselves as…!

  47. tsgh says:

    😀 Wath… PHW has a fierce walking stick mate you don’t want to confront him… its their club afterall. 😉

    Seriously, I agree with you…
    OG12’s 3rd season that means he now has AFC DNa, injuries may start appearing

  48. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, efficient at what? making money and not spending, are Mr. Harvards findings based on stats? lol

  49. BrainwashedKev says:

    CG, past experience of recent transfer windows affects the tone of my posts at this time of the season….

    Low expectations is my mantra…

    Also ignoring the Press.
    Dubious claims & no quotes are their raison d’être….

  50. tsgh says:

    Nickie, Kev and Dev are the 4-4-2 experts on here…

    I prefer 4-1-4-1 personally… or even 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 like Colombia and Chile.

    Germany are playing 4-1-4-1 like we did against Naple and BM played all season

    Unless we buy a Schneiderlein or Cabaye for CM/DM and a proper winger like Turan we can’t currently play 4-4-2 with our current squad imho…

  51. Canadian Gooner says:

    Woody – I believe it was you that asked why FC Farcelona don’t like Arsenal. We have signed many of their young prospects such as Bellerin, Fabregas Miquel and Toral before they could legally sign professional contracts in Spain.

    In return, we have sold them Fabregas, Hleb, Henry, Overmars, Petit and Song. None of whom have played anywhere near as well for them as they did for us. Add to that they probably still owe us money from some of those deals.

    Also, FC Farcelona the executive and their constantly rotating Presidents are classless two faced hypocrites who lack any vestige of ethics and morals. Anyway, they have a great team but are a whore of a club. They love to get one over on Arsenal by poaching some of their best players, but it never quite works out for them.

    The Cesc Fabregas saga, with his Farcelona DNA, is the most recent example of their bad karma when dealing with Arsenal.

  52. BrainwashedKev says:

    Ginge I am more a fan of the half-back/inside-forward WM formation myself…

    With a Stopper centre-half a la Herbie Roberts…

  53. tsgh says:

    The teams who tried to go 4-4-2 all got sucker punched in the WC.

    Even France have been playing a version of 4-1-4-1 without OG12 and 4-1-3-2 with OG12 which has not really worked.

    As we know only Brazil re playing the standard 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-4 formation… 4-3-3 is dead with Spain and even the football purist Oranje have not deployed it this time round.

  54. Scott From Oz says:

    CG, it seems a love/hate relationship is what we have with Barca.
    We love screwing them over, and they hate it hahahahaha.

  55. Nickie says:

    Hmm, I like the 3-5-2, 5-3-2 as well. Shame we don’t have the defenders to do it. The solid back 3 could work a la Kos,Mert,Verm but with no back up its risky. We don’t currently have the RB for it and Gibbs for all his efforts getting forward is very inefficient.

    For us I’d like to see the 4-1-4-1 system played. A more mobile, proper DM in there give free licences for the 4 in front to roam and be creative. Giroud up top for the minions to feed from him. Ramsey available to do the running back if we’re being swamped.

  56. tsgh says:

    geez 3-4-4 with 11 outfield players. 😛

    Bt, its always based on stats… the world is run on numbers… speak to any cabalist and he will ditto that. 😀

  57. tsgh says:

    The WM according to wiki is a version ie attacking version of 5-3-2…

    Most of the latin AMericans are playing that in this world cup with their FB coming in field to cover their midfielders when they are in possesion…

    Dev is the proper coach on here so he might have a view…

  58. Wavy says:

    Can someone tell me? If we buy a player today or even in 4 weeks time will that player be eligible to play in our CL play off game? If so the new player if he has the quality would surely help us to win the tie? If not I understand that no top quality player would want to join a Thursday night team!
    Or is all about Wenger penny pinching and not buying until he has even more money in his piggyback?
    I simply do not understand our seeming lack of activity and/or our disinterest in the whole TW until nearly September.
    Doing my head in!

  59. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – I know why you feel the way you do. I just think you are a bit premature.

    Think of the transfer window as pursuing ladies and enjoy the chase. If after chasing and wooing them, you haven’t managed to consummate anything by late summer, it could be a long dull year.

  60. Wath says:

    All this bollox on formations…. ten outfield players… if you work as a unit thats 10 attackers 10 defenders…. Beat that….!

    Talk about make hard work out of an easy game..!

  61. tsgh says:

    I am with you Nickie, the 4-1-4-1 worked very well on most occasions including BM, Liverpool at home in FA cup and Chelsea at home…apart from when AW decided to kamikaze on us and played that set-up against Everton away at 12:45pm… knowing Roberto always played 3 or 4 central midfielders with 2 or 3 upfront.

    We were completely swamped in midfield and AW failed to change it until later in teh 2nd half..

  62. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Bk, ref 11:28, expectations almost hit rock bottom when AW, signed his last deal 3 years ago. lol

  63. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott & Ginge – We have to stay positive or some of our housemates here are going to be in sad sad shape before the Community Shield game kicks off.

    As Eric Idle has oft been heard to say/sing – Life’s a piece of shit, when you think of it. So, look on the bright side of life…

  64. tsgh says:

    Wavy the players we want to buy have agents still stuck in the 80’s without mobiles and Ipads on holidays…:P

  65. agirlagunner says:

    Kev, I think the Ozil purchase has given AW a taste for the finer things in life; and he is not likely to forget that feeling soon. 😀 He likes shopping at Saks 5th now. 😀 “S” is on his way, I can feel it. 😛 As with qualifying for the CL, AW, IG, and SK are bound to do this the last minute though. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride, brace yourself!

    Boo, everyone! 🙂 CG, you missed the post you requested Ginge to write.

    WATH, how’s the lady of the house? Is it pouring where she is yet? 😀

    Micko, have you thought about your predictions for tonight’s matches? 😛

  66. tsgh says:

    So true… Cg I am certain loads are positive too just the red-tops gets us all paranoid… 🙂

  67. Wavy says:

    All very well having systems but if the coach doesn’t tell the players what he wants from the ‘system’ he has engineered the game and players run around like headless chickens chasing the ball, just like playground football. Now then where does the Arsenal model fit in to that assessment?
    I’m with WATH it’s all a load do of bollocks!

  68. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, what’s all this 12:45 crap about? can we not turn up for a game, unless it starts after 3pm?

  69. Wath says:

    There was a fire ball in Devon the other day AGAG apparently the local supermarket had run out of Cava so you can guess what the problem was….!

    The weather has been kind to her am told… amazing really she is worse that a voodoo doll normally…!

    Ts, get back in your armchair and have a snooze you’ll wear yourself out… 😉

  70. agirlagunner says:

    Hiya, Wavy. Maybe, rico’s boy, Theoooo has to pay attention to your headless chicken comments. 😉

  71. tsgh says:

    that is the word Scott…

    Wath, my armchair when I sit in it requires me to post stats.. you don’t want that.

    There are stats to demonstrate football is not simple… only Harry can make it simple. 🙂

  72. tsgh says:

    Nickie-Porto, B04 and Naples are the big clubs we can face guaranteed in the final round.Plus 4 clubs from either Turkey, Holland,Italy Scotland or Spain who make it through round 3

  73. agirlagunner says:

    Boo, Scott. Howdy? I’m with you and CG and ginge, I’m not stressing over signings… yet. 😉 That Ozil business was such a surprise to me, I’d like to thing AW can pull off a similar trick again. 😉

    Nickie, don’t pay attention to WATH; goonie is the last person you should hit up if you want to stay sane. Go back to the comments on the day we played the FA Cup; he had a bit of a mental breakdown. Lol.

  74. agirlagunner says:

    ginge, Micko’s predicitions have marginally improved, tbh. Lol. I remember all the first few ones were majorly wrong. Haha.

  75. Wath says:

    Ts, we can’t play 4 of those sides though. Porto BO4 and the Italian side I think not sure who the last one was…!

    You can write all the stats you want mate you know where they going….!

    Football is a simple game made difficult by players and coaches and armchair geniuses…! It’s a simple game when I play…! Let the ball do the work.. Easy…!

  76. agirlagunner says:

    WATH, good to hear that rico is seeing some sun. It seems all it does in England is rain. 😀 😀

  77. Micko says:

    agag, no games on this evening unless you know something I don’t !

    tsgh, make hay while the sun shines, rico’s gonna put you back in your box next week.

  78. Wavy says:

    Agag hi, you’re right Theoooo is a bit of a playground show off ! For Rico an idol or do I mean idle?! But he never has had much of a clue about how to play. He may write children’s books but he certainly cannot ‘read’ a football game!

  79. BrainwashedKev says:

    CG, consummate the transfer window… 😐

    I’ve never really thought of it in those terms…

    But I catch your drift…. 😉

  80. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – “Bt, its always based on stats… the world is run on numbers… speak to any cabalist and he will ditto that.”

    What’s next in this world of numbers of yours? Numerology? We can’t sign any players until you’ve calculated their number based on their commonly used names and initials. Shades a Glenda when he ran the England team (into the ground).

    Before our games kick off, you enter the stadium wearing your arcane and elaborate robes, walk to the stone before one of the goals, sacrifice (dove, goat, ram, virgin, etc.) and read the portents in the entrails. Conversely, after analysing the rosters of both teams, entering all the relevant data of each players past performance stats (both individual and in combination with fellow players), into Arsenal’s dedicated Cray super-computer in the bowels of the Emirates Stadium and multiple runs of linear, non-linear, stepwise models (forward, backward, MINR & MAXR) using software written specifically for predicting football games by the SAS Institute; your predictions and any recommended changes to the starting line-up can be displayed on the stadium Jumbotron.

    Ah! Number geek Nirvana.

  81. tsgh says:

    Joe Kinnear tried to make the game simple.. look at waht happened to him. 😛

    Seriously though if we all realised the game could be simplified by all 10 outfield players giving 100% several people will be out of jobs…

    Paul Merson for one won’t have cash to drink drive.. 😀

  82. agirlagunner says:

    Ooops, Micko. I thought the games were on tonight. 😳

    Wavy, to be fair, I thought Theo was playing out of his skin the year he was negotiating his contract extension. And then he reverted to his previous self. 🙂 Plus, he always gets injured. 🙁

  83. tsgh says:

    😀 Cg classic!

    As Messi why he wears his left books first every day… lol. He worked it out statistically that he wins …

  84. Scott From Oz says:

    You’re we right Ginge, and the reason Barca have been so good is not tactical, not brilliant coaching, nor down to talent.
    It’s down to hard work.
    I can’t remember a side who work has hard off the ball as they did at their best.

  85. tsgh says:

    Agag- Theo smiles his way to 100k a week… the only nice boy who wins all the time…

    Maybe its because he has a fierce Rico as his agent. 🙂

  86. tsgh says:

    left books= left boots*

    Scott, re hard work that is why I am always going on about distance covered stats ;)… we have too many passengers in that department that is why we get beaten against the bigger boys.

    And I agree with Wath and Wavy btw.. formation is just a small part of winning… 100% effort at the highest level where the difference in class is just 2 to 5% makes the difference. Like those sports drinks adverts we see on Tv…

  87. tsgh says:

    Lol Micko.. Roy is a gentleman. He does his best; he is just not elite material with all due respect to him… imo

  88. Scott From Oz says:

    Yes Ginge, and it’s what we lack when Aaron is missing.
    In saying that, Santi and Podolski lifted their effort immensely towards the end of last season, and they AND the team were better for it.

  89. Canadian Gooner says:

    Sister AGAG – I have already tendered my apologies to Ginge for my lapse in etiquette for missing his article.

    Trust you to boil down the complicated and involved process of player acquisitions into the simple act of shoe shopping in The Big Apple. We should forward your CV and our collective request, that you be placed in charge of player acquisitions, to the Arsenal management and owners.

    Since, you are loathe to sell any of your acquisitions we shall leave that portion of the business with Dick Law et al.

    Problem solved and Kev can relax and have a quiet enjoyable summer.

  90. tsgh says:

    Bt62 re 12:20 pm; statistically we win less than 6% of games we start at 12:45pm…

    Our record on MNF and saturday 4:45 is second to none though… conversely Yanited lose nearly 90% of their MNF8:00pm games whilst they win their 12:45’s at least under te old Fergie…

    Last year when the game schedules was published I said te FA would move most our games to 12:45 when we are doing well and they did with the Liverpool and Chelsea games amongst others.

    In those games we played Wednesday away in Europe and played away as well… conspiracy I say! I never deny I am paranoid though…

  91. Woody says:

    Does anyone know when the live Sky fixtures are announced?

    I find it so annoying that us fans have to put our plans on hold just in case a match is moved for tv. Surely it can’t be that hard to look at the fixtures, work out which are for tv then have Sky and BT agree who shows what?

    Surely it doesn’t take 4-6 weeks?

  92. tsgh says:

    They definitely did Scott. SC19 was especially immense in the FA cup final…

    But my conspiracy head tells me it was all in an effort to get a place in Brazil…. 😉 This shows that if and when the stakes are high they can left up their game/effort; maybe AW does not demand it from them…

  93. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – Arsene can solve the level of effort conundrum by appointing the BFG as captain. He will solve the problem with the tried and true ‘Tony Adams Method’ – a judiciously applied pedal interface with the player in question’s gluteus maximus (i.e. a swift kick in the arse).

    I’m sure Tony would be willing to give Per an extensive course on his proven methodology for a small fee.

  94. agirlagunner says:

    CG, ha ha ha. I like my shoe analogies. It’s stuff I find easy to relate to. 🙂 🙂 And you’re right, I never want to sell anything, even if I probably should. 😛 How are you, sir? Are you cheering for any particular team in the WC? Your Excited States of America comment in one post made me laugh.

    ginge, it’s hard not to like Theo; although he does say silly things in interviews. I remember him admitting to “diving”; I mean, seriously, do you want refs on your back?? As if they don’t give Arsenal a hard enough time.

  95. Canadian Gooner says:

    I bid you all a Good Night from me and a Good Day to you fellow housemates. I have stayed long past much later than I had planned.

    Keep The Faith and try to believe we will sign the players we need!

  96. Canadian Gooner says:

    AGAG – I am well, thank you for asking. I’m supporting France, Germany and the long long shot of Costa Rica. The countries of our players involved in the WC.

    Have you found yourself a job, commensurate with your ambitions and skills, yet?

    Till next time all.

  97. agirlagunner says:

    CG, I’m looking at two openings now. 🙂 🙂 Fingers crossed, one of them works out. 😉 Like you, I’m allocating my support to our players, too. 🙂

  98. Wath says:

    AGAG are you still unemployable…? The demands of Salon and Crystal in your office fridge are enough to scare off any potential job offers…! Wait til you in the door first then break that to them after the first week or so 😉

  99. agirlagunner says:

    WATH, ha ha ha. I’m just waiting on a good one. 😛 I should know soonest. Oh, and you are the Salon and GG Man here. 🙂 Btw, have you tried champagne Salon, it’s a blanc de blanc, like Salon. Quite good and more importantly, affordable. 🙂 It’s around 25 British sterling. 😀

  100. Wath says:

    AGAG you should know I don’t do cheap and cheerful, If you want a really good value poo that’s excellent look for Le Mesnil…. Le Mesnil Brut is really good and the prestige is excellent and all very very well priced….! If you see treat yourself they should be around 30euro and 45euro..!

  101. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    I see gillem balague thinks we ve had some kind of agreement with sanchez but fail in barfa’s valuation. I mean why do these guys do this all the time. That’s what happened last summer with Suarez. I just don’t get it. How these guys get to keep their jobs while wath is jobless??? Beats me.

  102. Wath says:

    Say thank you Stan………. I could of left you in moderation talking to yourself.

    Pls go chat to Nickie he needs your help…!

  103. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Good read kev…just don’t get it though. I ve read it over and over again yet…I got nothing.

  104. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Hahahahahahhaha wath you creep…messing with my post again I see. You re really evil my friend I ll bet you tip sleeping cows over.

  105. Nickie says:

    Anyone but Stan’s help…haha :p

    I’m just remaining optimistic. I’ll be the first to hold my hands up if we don’t sign “S” and say “i’m a mug”

  106. agirlagunner says:

    WATH, you’re a wine snob. 🙂 😛 I’ll make sure to remember that. Champagne is often cheaper in HK than anywhere else. I’m subscribed to winesearcher, you see. 😀

    goonie, hello, macadamia nut. 🙂 I thought you were going for blonde fartster!

  107. agirlagunner says:

    Yeah, yeah, WATH. You gents here with your bottles of Salon, Yquem, Chateau Palmer. 😀 Sure, you’re not a wine snob. 😀 😀 Wink wink nudge nudge.

  108. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Man wath is pure evil. How do someone so little wield such power. You have too much power wath. Rico do something. WATH is messing with my posts name and life even.

  109. Wath says:

    They crap in it as well Lee, Water = Yuk………

    Makes you go rusty as well….

    Shut up Stan you whinging tart…! Worse than Robben screaming when he falls over a blade of grass…!

  110. Goonie aka big Farter says:

    Leave robben out of this you limp noodle
    Gee what has he ever done to you. Rooney dives so does your boy Ashley young. I don’t see you criticizing them 😀

  111. agirlagunner says:

    Good on ya, WATH. Me, I’ll drink anything pink. 🙂

    Hiya, Lee. Now that you mention it… Ick.

    Stanley, Robben has cost us elimination at the CL. No AFC fan has forgiven him.

  112. goonster aka blonde poodle says:

    Agag it’s not me. It’s wath. He’s got way too much time on his hands. Bet the local pub ran out of GG.

  113. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Nickie do yourself a huge favor and stop dreaming about sanchez. It’s never going to happen. Ozil was one off. Pretty sure arsene and the board are pretty cheesed off at spending some much on one player. We ll probably get a 12 million player and that’s it. Theo abou and Aoc ll be like new signings. LANS.

  114. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Brudder lee whose side are you on? Come on now you re my wing man. You should be on my corner.

  115. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Beg?? I ve never begged in my whole life. Just drumming up support for the oranje. How is that a bad thing?

  116. Wath says:

    I’m actually starting to feel sorry for you Stan, I may even throw you a bone if this continues……..

  117. agirlagunner says:

    WATH, true, true re: Cesc.

    Stan, I should think if you guys play Brazil or Argentina, you may get some support. These two teams have been soooo underwhelming; at least the Oranje have had some convincing wins.

  118. agirlagunner says:

    I saw Ramires interviewed, and all he could talk about was how Neymar lacked protection. Blah de blah. Neymar should stop flinging himself to the ground, so that he won’t be injured. He always try to make more of contact than there really is. Soooo annoying.

  119. tsgh says:

    too many unhappy Dutch men…

    Van Persie to journo’ earlier…”i’ve scored three goals, do I need to score 15″ and then tells the interviewer to prepare better next time.

  120. tsgh says:

    Elko Born @Elko_B · Jul 2

    A drunk man assaulted Van Persie in his car yesterday. Seemingly thinking Robben was in the car, he yelled ‘cheater’ pic.twitter.com/eXhKuospFv
    Embedded image permalink

  121. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    You lot are just jealous. Nickie Colombia to win the world cup?? Hahahah that’s the funniest shit ever. My ribs hurt.

  122. Nickie says:

    I said before the WC even started they were dark horses. Suprised you have any ribs left after that surgery you had to…you know…

  123. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Fartistas Knows Best and Farter whackers.

    I browse NN and laugh.

    Long term target this long term target that??

    Who has labelled all those players long term targets?

    The journos no??

    Even Malaga Gooner cannot go this far. His imagination is much lower than that. And that is saying something.

  124. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Jealous Goonie????

    How can we be jealous of a nation that has lost all three finals it has competed in? Always the bride and never the groom. 😛

  125. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Thanks DG that really hurts…you cut me really deep now my friend. Really deep.

  126. Nickie says:

    RVP looked dead in that heat. Robben’s dives will only take you so far my friend. And your back line is shakey as. If Ron Vlaar is the best you can source at the heart of defence you’ll come undone against all teams left bar CRC

  127. Hell Raising Devil says:

    its reality mate. Germany has won more than it lost. France as well. Italy as well. Brazil as well.

    Until Judas Persie and Divobben remain there I will not support the dutch.

  128. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Lee I ll take that bet and I ll raise you a hundred quid. If we won’t end up winning it. I ll send you a cheque.

  129. tsgh says:

    Hey goonie, 2 weeks ago you were denying your Oranje affiliation…

    what changed your mind? 😉

    Wath… Goonie was the passenger in the car me think… lol

  130. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Goonie Fartista here is one for you when you want to needle WATH……

    WTF = WATH the F**K

    lol

  131. rico says:

    I keep trying to post but can’t because the internet settings where I’m staying throw me off…

    Just thought I would stand throw my thoughts in… Hope Holland get battered in the quarter final… 🙂

  132. Lee says:

    Judith Chalmers is in the house! How you doing Rico?Blinding weather here in London I hope you are getting some rays!?!?

  133. rico says:

    Hi Lee, all good thanks as I hope it is with you. Having fab weather here in Cornwall too, but it’s meant to be grim tomorrow…

    I’ve managed a swim in the sea 🙂

  134. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    Rico not you too…This stinks everyone is against me. I pray to God we win this world cup. Boy am I gonna rub it in.

  135. rico says:

    Sorry Stan but yes, and for the same reasons as most, I despise the cheat Robben and of course, I’d love to see RvP shed a tear… 😉

  136. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    So you don’t mind me shedding a tear too huh? You don’t mind if my heart is broken? Some mama bear you are. Am so disappointed.

  137. BrainwashedKev says:

    Doris, Coach?

    I’ll give one guess, and it isn’t my Dutch Grannie… 😉

    Hello, here she is, how’s the club scene in Cornwall then Rico…?

  138. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Ahhhh. Rico found it difficult to get into her blog. 😆

    Did she end up in the bin WATH? Or spam???

    Goonie…..we are not against you. The small matter is against Van Judas and Divobben.

    Get these two out of the equation and we are all Dutch.

  139. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Want night life Rico? Come over to our island. You would not believe the night life over here. We have loads of bars, discos, restaurants.

    name it and you have it.

    Plus sandy beaches every corner and sun from 6.00am till 20.30pm

  140. goonster aka macadamia nut says:

    DG in hate those scumbags too. I ll never forgive van herpes for what how he dumped us. Brianna should have been named after him but I changed it. That’s how much I adore that dutch skunk but what can I do? Am dutch it’s only right I support the oranje. Am only being patriotic plus amongst the super powers we are the only side that has yet to win the world cup. That’s why it hurts you guys don’t wish us well. Robben and van herpes is just two individuals. Screw them. What about the whole dutch nation? What about Bergkamp? What about me?

  141. rico says:

    Neither Devil, just the internet settings where we are staying, can’t get onto to any wordpress sites. The only way I can post is by going though the ‘dashboard’ and reply to individual comments…

    Night life? I’m far too old to be doing any of that kind of stuff… 😉

    I’m off out to eat now, catch up soon no doubt as I have to go home at the weekend sadly….

    Go steady all…

  142. Hell Raising Devil says:

    ohhh……and hunky male studs for the girlies like you plus a whole lot of dolls for every walking male on earth except the Goon. 😉

  143. Hell Raising Devil says:

    we got studs for all ages here……….even for grumpy old women.

    plus dollies for everyone even Geriatric males with zimmerframes 😛

  144. Micko says:

    At least you got to see your lads at the WC scott !
    Compare it to over-here, kinda like finding out your best mate’s getting married and you only got an invite to the reception…. nothing quite like being there.
    Off to Norf London this weekend, might try and blag meself a new jersey just to get up your nose !
    Laters.

  145. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yeah yeah yeah Rico, I bet you can boogie with the best of them… 😛

    It was sweltering today, but London is so busy, there must be thousands of tourists over here atm…

    Camden was chocka, even around the Hawley Arms, despite it’s dodgy reputation and clientele… 😀

  146. Lee says:

    Morning Kev and morning all! I can smell the transfers they are going to come along en masse!!
    Sanchez and Remy for starters!

  147. tsgh says:

    Morning all,

    Are you back lady Rico?
    Hope you had a nice break?

    legends in the game..
    Poi cena con Fabio -Jp – jonas-Arnaud- Veron- wenger pic.twitter.com/S7jaIlQLEb
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  148. tsgh says:

    Oh I see. Enjoy the rest of your holiday…

    It looks like Frimps is going to be signing for Sturm Graz

  149. tsgh says:

    Milan president just said Arsenal dropped their interest in Mario Balotelli after his poor World Cup. Claims £28m deal was on the table…

    Who would have thought Aw went with tournament showings after all…

    All a tactical ploy to get a reduced fee in last week in August.

  150. tsgh says:

    You got to love AW…

    no club wants Balo’ but us; and Milan wanted a high fee so the poker face man comes in and does what he does best… lol

  151. tsgh says:

    13 years ago around this time the ink was just drying on the contract of Pires and Campbell’s contracts…

    And those were the days of DD; we always sign players late on…

  152. Wath says:

    Ts, we wait til the last minute this summer we’re stuffed, the players we need are all up for grabs NOW…. we need to act and the club know that…! It’s also getting more and more in the public domain that these players are available so the pressure rises for us to buy and to buy well. Previous actions and how we would like to do business are out the window…!

    Oh and morning All,

    Enjoy the beach Rico, leave the blokes alone in their speedo’s you never know who it may be….!

  153. Nickie says:

    Wenger working it with Balo. Don’t want him though. Instead of playing hard ball with Milan focus on S and Barca

  154. snaparse says:

    morning all…..how you lot? have been reading the blog when I can although I didn’t post(was having problems posting sometimes) must say its been a good read this few days cheers to Rico wath ant tsgh….hope we get to sign some few players and get preparations on early

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