Daily Bits and Bobs

Morata deal done? Sagna confirms exit & Fabianski comments are hurtful…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Ever feel like you’ve been here before?

No no, I don’t mean Highbury House, I mean Alvaro Morata. Wasn’t it this time last year we heard the same old stories about signing him, or was it back in January? I can’t remember really as this last season has gone by so fast and bearing in mind both transfer windows were an absolute disaster, barring Mesut Ozil of course, it could have been either, maybe both.

But here we are again. Yesterday the headlines were full of news about how we are about to sign Morata from Real Madrid. He hasn’t cost too much either apparently, just a mere £10 million. However, there’s a ‘buy-out’ clause included in the deal apparently, one which allows Real Madrid to resign him, but only if both clubs and the player want that to happen.

We’ll see I guess but I’m sure not going to get too excited about this latest story.

Next up is Bacary Sagna and he’s finally confirmed what we all suspected would happen. He’s gone.

It’s no longer a secret, I will leave Arsenal for sure.

They tried to make an effort, but the discussions have not gone in the direction I wished it. There are a lot of calls, a lot of speculation. Frankly, it gives headaches. I’ll sort it all out before the start of the World Cup.

Good luck Bacary, I wish you well.

Talking of players leaving, we all know Lukasz Fabianski has signed for Swansea but yesterday I read this headline:

Lukasz Fabianski was Arsenal’s ‘worst’ goalkeeper of last 10 years!

What absolute poppycock!!

The guy/girl reporting this story in The Metro remains anonymous and I can understand why if this is what they choose to report.

Has he/she not ever seen Almunia, Mannone or Viviano?

What saddens me is Fabianski was just starting to show how good a keeper he could be during our FA Cup run. Ok, he had a mad moment in the FA Cup final, but we are talking about a keeper who in all the previous rounds had played so well. And, let’s not forget in between those matches, he wasn’t playing.

Replacing Lukasz is going to be hard….

As is replacing Sagna and Juanfran has turned us down, according to the media darlings…..

That’s it for another day….

 

rico

302 thoughts on “Morata deal done? Sagna confirms exit & Fabianski comments are hurtful…”

  2. HenryB says:

    Good one, Rico.

    You are wise to be a bit cautious about the alleged rumour involving Morata, as in today’s paper I read that Real want to sign Greismann and let Illaramendi go with Morata a make weight in the deal.

    So he won’t come to Arsenal, if that is true.

    Round and round in ever decreasing circles go the latest layer of rumours.

    Of course you are right that Flappy has not been our worst goalkeeper, but he has not been our best either. He needs and deserves to be the No 1 keeper at another club, and like Mannone has flourished with Sunderland, I expect Fab will do well at the Swans – providing the sell Vorm.

  3. rico says:

    Aren’t we all Omojola..

    Thanks Hb.

    Not sure we have had a top keeper since Jens, and even he had his moments…

    I too think Fab will do very well at Swansea and cement his place not only in their first team, but Polands to…

  6. frednerk says:

    Call me a cynic..Flappy gets good….
    last 6 months of contract……….been there before ain’t we,
    nice payday flappy.
    Talking of free bee’s to other clubs..we let a lot of players players run contracts down ….Don’t we.
    Lets be honest Flappy and Sagna have gone for money,the reason flappy never made No 1 was for 3 1/2 years he was…Well Flappy.

  8. potter says:

    Rumour has it that Pool are paying over the odds for Lambert to get llalana cheaper so that Southampton don’t have to pay so much to Bournemouth on their sell on agreement.

  9. rico says:

    fred, I’m hoping Bac and Fab are the last two who are allowed to run down their contracts.

    Although I believe Diaby will be a freebie next summer, so time to sell him surely…

  10. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning all, don’t you just hate the transfer window, all of the rumours /stories are just garbage. At least we can watch the Ladies live and free in the FA Cup this weekend.

  11. frednerk says:

    Rico,
    Can’t think of many players leaving The Arsenal under wengers managerment who have complained.
    Remember our nick name..The Bank of England Club.

  12. S2S says:

    I hate summer in my country. But I love the time and read transfer news. Till now we have signed around 14-15 players and out of that at least 4-5 are GKs. I think Arsene may decide to convert one of those GKs in to DM. God bless the crazy, frantic and deteriorating media.

    Was it always like this or does Rupert Murdoch have any hand in this?

  16. allezkev says:

    I don’t blame either Sagna or Fabianski for leaving…

    Sagna will be earning a small fortune in the twilight of his career.
    Arsenal would never have matched the sums ManCity have offered.
    Paying those wages to a player of Sagna’s age, don’t make financial sense.
    But then we are talking about City here.
    Artificially supported by a country whose human rights is a disgrace.

    Fab did a great job for us latterly in his Arsenal career.
    At 29 he really needs to play…

  17. rico says:

    Hi Scott, it sure is, very frustrating too, especially when other clubs are starting to sign players.

    Arsenal really need to step it up…

  18. Sukky says:

    Morata? No!Why would we buy someone who can’t displace OG12.I will pick sanogo since Morata is for the future.I don’t think wenger will buy remy because if he really want him,he would have bought him before he came to EPL.

  20. rico says:

    Would we all do the same in our own ‘job world’ Kev?

    Probably…. So no, I don’t blame them either, not really and as we all know, loyalty in football is long gone…

    Sukky, Sanogo is far from being the present…..

  22. Lee says:

    Well not under pay him but keep him in line with other Arsenal players…..definitely one of our most consistent players!

  23. rico says:

    I’d love to know what goes on during the summer before players contracts expire.

    Surely if there is any hint that a contract renewal isn’t going to be signed, then sell the player and make it clear to the fans that the player didn’t want to extend his contract.

    They did it with RvP but then he made it clear that the clubs ambitions didn’t match his….

    What did Fab and Sagna tell the club I wonder…

  25. Nickie says:

    Lee

    Sagna is on the decline. Rb in our team is one huge physical role, quite a few times he was caught out this season. We offered him an honest deal, he wants one big final pay out. It’s the correct decision. Get in a glory hungry monster to replace. I don’t like being held to ransom by one of our most “loyal” players

  26. rico says:

    I am not convinced the club wanted to keep Sagna, they didn’t hang around sorting Kos new contract and pay rise…

  28. Lee says:

    It’ll be unsettling for the defence to lose Sagna so if we are to buy a RB he needs to bought early doors!

  32. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, i hope not reference the ladies, the development ladies have a final on Saturday. The seniors need a big morale boost at the moment.

  33. Nickie says:

    Personally he’s not a choice i’d prefer. I’d like to see us go down the Aurier route. Powerful, hungry, great attacking talent and the defensive stability will come. If you’re signing Juanfran for 9mil you may aswell have given Sagna that contract

  34. S2S says:

    Fred,

    I understand your point of view as a fan but as a finance professional I would totally disagree with you. I have seen multi-billion dollar companies going bust in half a decade. The issue with them is highly levered businesses and fake liabilities and fake assets. When you have highly levered balance sheet, it is always advisable to keep portion of your debt as cash reserve the amount may vary from business to business. If not you will have to raise further debts and further debts. That puts you on edge. And when banks have lent you such huge amounts, even they ask you to maintain cash reserves. So, I have never been able to blame club for not spending.

    The only thing saddens me is we’re non profit organization in that case if we’re making profit at the end of the year and not reinvesting it in some way then we should give benefits to ST holders by way of discount or some free games or even some high profile concerts. That may help club to connect to supporters who are using their hard earned money to watch/support club.

  39. Nickie says:

    I can agree with you points on NB52. waste of space’s wages could have been better spent. But we can’t take that example to now make this the Arsenal retirement home. it’s not like he wasn’t offered a deal. Footballers are greedy lol

  40. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Lee,Nickie. they could use Juanfran as a stop gap, to allow The Corp to further develop over the next couple of years. Lee, wages are one of Arsenes’ many flawed policies.

  42. Nickie says:

    That’s why I said defensive stability will come. His attacking play is great, isn’t that the Arsenal we want? Sagna was caught out quite a bit this season and his attacking play was so ineffective (poor crosses, never hitting the byline, always playing the pass inside). I want to see good old Arsenal with an exciting full back flying forward, I can take mediocre defending for a youngster who will flourish into one of the games greats

  46. rico says:

    I’d rather a defender defends well first and foremost and have proper quick wingers in front of him…

  50. Nickie says:

    Clyne defends well? lol….out of curiosity. you’re not sergeant Rico from starship troopers? everytime I see your name I say it in my head like the bloke does from the film haha

  51. rico says:

    Re Aurier – if his defending can be suspect but his attacking play is very good, don’t we already have a young Englishman who could be described as being similar?

  53. Lee says:

    Likes football, beer…….now if she likes a Ruby Murray, well that’d be near perfect! I think I’d have to dust down the Eau de Rohipnol! 😉

  56. Lee says:

    Clyne is ok, but we need to be setting our sights higher but I guess it is Arsenal we talking about……

  60. rico says:

    Perhaps we should offer Juanfran a bit more money then…

    Hi Wath..

    Bt, no encouragement from you please 🙂

  63. Nickie says:

    I find Jenkinsons better at defence than he is attack, although in his last few games for the club this season he looked good going forward

  68. Wath says:

    Comes to something Lee when players in other leagues are embarrassed when they linked to them 🙂 Sums them up perfectly..!

  74. rico says:

    Nickie, I really like Jenks. I know I am in the minority but I won’t be too unhappy if he gets the right back position.

    But the worry would be, who is behind him in the squad…

  75. Wath says:

    Just on twitter :

    David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 1m
    Wenger has agreed new 3yr deal to remain Arsenal manager until 2017. Will be signed & announced next few days, likely Sat #bbcsportsday #afc

  80. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, I am with you.
    Jenks is good enough, and every time he’s had a run of games, he’s proven it, IMO.

  82. Wath says:

    I’m in the Jenks camp as well, Just a little concerned back up isn’t ready… Bellerin…. However a short term gap for the odd game here and there would be Flamini…! PLEASE NOTE i say the odd game here and there NOT lots of games..!

  84. Gunnerdna says:

    Morning all, good post rico. Replacing Sagna and Fabianski is easy, Maarten Stekelenburg > Fiabanski and Seamus Coleman > Sagna. I think we need a first choice GK and Scz as backup, scz is not as good as people have him to be.

  86. rico says:

    Just the three of us then, there’s a song in there…..

    Joe, as things stand right now, I’m far from thrilled. However, if he finally treats the fans with a bit of respect and makes the right signings in the summer then I might have a rethink…

  87. Gunnerdna says:

    Rico, Jenkinson needs to go on loan, he is not even good enough be backup just yet, competing for the CL requires 2 good players for every position.

  90. Gunnerdna says:

    Francis Coquelin would be my backup rb for the new season, if AW still thinks ambition stops at the grass root level. lol

  91. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Now that’s a story, Arsene to sign a new deal, didn’t see that one coming. I like The Corp, needs a good run of competitive games.

  92. Nickie says:

    Rico I’m the same, I’d like to see how Jenko performs as no.1 right back. If he bombs, try a rb signing in Jan possibly

  96. Scott From Oz says:

    What risk is there with Jenks?
    He has done well when playing, especially when he plays regular football.
    Szczesney….Golden Glove, yet not good enough?
    That will do me.

  98. Nickie says:

    Coleman is only highlighted for his goal scoring. You will not hear as much about him next season.

  100. Gunnerdna says:

    We need a 1st choice rb, If the CLUB intentions are to win the PL and compete in the CL, Jenks is not the answer. Coleman would cost 12 mil with adds on.

  101. Nickie says:

    if you’re spending 12mil + on Coleman then that is silly. there are better right backs out there for that price

  102. tsgh says:

    Sagna leaving was a calamity full stop. ;lets not try to down play it…

    No matter how one plays it Aurier and the likes of Clyne can’t play RB, LB or CB half as good as Sagna has done for us and will continue to do in the next 2 seasons imho….

    For once, I am totally with Lee…

    Losing Sagna requires us to also look at the CB position as I doubt AW will be looking to play Miguel and with TV’s injury record over the last 3 years… well, hold your seat for another Le Squid or Cygan… lol

    Afternoon all . and good post Rico btw

  103. Gunnerdna says:

    Coleman is better than Aurier who most fan like. Aurier is inexperienced and a african Jenkinson when defending. lol

  104. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    We are left with Bellerin and CJ25.. another transitional season when we should be pushing on…

    we will most probably score more goals and end up 3rd on the goal scored chat but our goals against will be back to 2 seasons ago level…

    The club hierachy are a bad joke… poor managers with so called HAvard analyst who only have a short sighted view …

    Nickie, you honestly believe Sagna was in decline…? he covers more ground than any other player in the squad apart from Ramsey (when he is fit) and was the 2nd best right back in the EPL so i am not sure why you think he is on decline but hey we are all entitled to our opinions so… 🙂

  105. Nickie says:

    people need to let Sagna go lol, he was on a slope towards the end. Ripped to shreds against the big boys

  106. Nickie says:

    Next season 32 for the most demanding position on the pitch. Of course he is going to decline. He looked physically drained in the last 25 minutes of every match towards the end of the season. That would soon become the norm with Sagna.

  107. Gunnerdna says:

    Ts, i agree with your 12:43. But Sagna expiration date was almost up. Why such a big club like afc can’t employ the right amount of players required to compete, other than depending on a specific player to fill more than 1 space in the squad, the club needs a adequate playing staff to rotate players. imo

  108. Nickie says:

    For the record I love Sagna and he is Arsenal but i’m just trying to put a positive spin on the fact he’s left. Inside i’m crying haha

  109. Scott From Oz says:

    Ginge, if we’d extended and upgraded Sagna’s contract when he wanted, most Gooners would have blown a fuse.
    At that time, he was just back from his second broken bone, and playing terribly, so I can’t blame the club for sitting back and waiting, to be fair.
    Funny, but at that time, a certain kid named Jenkinson was playing terrific football because he was playing consistently 🙂

  110. Gonerjoe says:

    Tsgh
    Its a sad fact the position of full back is not considered an important part of the team like strikers,midfield and center backs.
    So losing Sanga will not upset fans as much as say RVP and it will be felt it will be easy enough to replace him.

  119. Gunnerdna says:

    “Gdna, the guy cant even get a game on loan”

    Rico, that’s thinking the AW economic way. lol. My problem with Jenks is his technique, which is below arsenal standard. Ball playing team need players with good technique.

  122. Gonerjoe says:

    I believe CJ25 will be a very good right back and when he plays for extended periods he seems to improve. Also he’s out and out gooner letting in goals or losing will hurt him as much us. This hurt will drive him to be a better player in the future.

  123. frednerk says:

    Scs….
    I’am not into the financals at The Arsenal,so can only go by what I read.
    What I do know is what I shell out when I go to a game..and it ain’t cheap,so if a player is on 70,000 grand a week and wants more to sign a new contract,it go’s straight over my head.
    When players are talking telephone numbers,and are only fullbacks
    for me someones getting ripped off,but that’s up to the player.
    Nearly crashed me Bentley.

  126. Scott From Oz says:

    DNA, didn’t you also tell us Ramsey was no good and we’d never win another trophy under Wenger though?
    In all fairness, the only decent game Coquelin played for us as was at RB, but he is a smart arse and that’s why he’s gone.
    He thought he was a DM…let him play in the
    Alaskan league if they need one in that position 🙂
    If he bit his tongue and just played, he’d be a very good RB.

  130. Gunnerdna says:

    Jenkinson is a average average player, that’s fact, so all those Ramsey and AW stuff doesn’t add up.

  134. Scott From Oz says:

    DNA, it adds up beautifully…you are none for two lol.
    Hidden Hand, hey….I like it 🙂

  136. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    I know Rico, WAth have mentioned before but to me CJ25 should be a CB…

    At right back he is very good when we have the right DM next to him to cover him…

    Imho, CJ25 will be a defenders RB but when he has decision to make he has always struggled…

    He does very well in EPL games where it is instinctive…

  139. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    AW promised Bellerin a role so he will get a chance next season…

    I see no difference in his style to Aurier tbh…
    that was the only reason why the most reliable AFC player was only offered £75k and allowed to leave… pathetic imo…

  141. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    should have read ‘…At right back he is very good when we have the right RW in front of himto cover him… instead of At right back he is very good when we have the right DM next to him to cover him…

  142. Gunnerdna says:

    Its still early days re Ramsey, i’m looking forward for him to better his performance next season, no need to jump the gun. lol

  147. Lee says:

    I’ll answer that after the window closes Fred. Old Arsene has earnt a few quid at this football lark, hasn’t he?

  150. allezkev says:

    Now that Wenger has signed, he can really get to work strengthening the squad.

    Gareth Barry, Samuel Eto’o, Stanley Matthews, Billy Meredith…

    You watch us take the League Cup by storm next season…

  153. Scott From Oz says:

    DNA, I guess it won’t be 3 years of “we’ll never in another trophy under Wenger” though……
    Lee, I am still living on the Ramsey tip, as it’s the only time over ever been right lol.
    3 seasons, but I reckon the direction of that 3 seasons will be told in the next 3 months.

  154. Gunnerdna says:

    Arsenal’s majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, said: “Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and the fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsène has been manager, is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition.
    “We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance we look forward to adding more trophies in future seasons.”

  158. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Scott, i don’t think you’ll have to wait 3 months, hope i’m wrong. Coors i think originated in Colorado, still crap.

  159. rogerbij says:

    Im happy with Wenger signing, straight up happy.
    Next, sort out the needed transfers (striker, left wing, DM, right back, keeper), and revise tactics to be more defensively compact when we line up against our closest rivals away from home. Simples 😉

  160. Scott From Oz says:

    BT, I think we will spend up this time.
    The next 3 months is crucial.
    If Wenger doesn’t spend, it will be a very long 3 seasons for him, IMO.

  161. frednerk says:

    Ts your right,
    Without going into coaching and systems,if a rightback is right footed and he plays against a two footed winger,the winger knows the fullback wants him to come onto his right,and shows him that channel,this where the midfielder must get to the fullbacks left,
    trouble with this system it only works with two defending midfielders or a very fit defensive minded winger.

  168. Nickie says:

    I can partially agree to that. We definitely need a marquee signing this summer to prove last summer wasn’t a 1 off to save Wengers skin. Preferably a World Class striker

  169. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Scott, i hope we spend, it’s not just the spending of money, but who we spend it on.

  173. frednerk says:

    Going by this season and winning a trophy after 9 years,
    wouldn’t it more prudent to have offered wenger a rolling 3 month contract instead..it worked didn’t it..him not signing one

  174. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    Fred, if you recall AW hardly play CJ25 and Theo together on the rhs…

    Aw has used Ox and Cj25 on the rhs together but almost always with Ramsey and MA08 playing through the middle…

    I have high hopes for Bellerin; with someone like Kalstrom as a utility squad player it won’t be too bad…

    Plus my nemesis SC19 has started to tackle and track back.. hope it was not just to get into the Spanish squad.. 🙂

  181. Nickie says:

    Exactly my point. I’d rather high quality players. But on the perspective of fickle fan’s who believe big money = big talent a marquee signing would certainly lift everyone especially if that signing was world class.

  182. Gonerjoe says:

    I am happy with Wenger’s new contract I see sky sports news do bio piece at the moment. (did you know we won nothing for nine years).
    Maybe not the site for that last part everyone knows and people have different views on the reasons.

  184. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, you don’t want much, 5 top class players, now that would be a statement of intent. I could live with that.

  187. Nickie says:

    How do we feel Di Maria would perform in the PL. He’s very frail and gets blown over by defenders in La Liga. How would he cope with a Shawcross or Huth leaving their mark on him

  188. rico says:

    I don’t want us to sign Benzema Gdna.

    And I’m talking the kind of prices Psg etc pay for players…

  190. Gunnerdna says:

    Rico, Benzema is a world class striker, he would be a good fit for arsenal. How you love Jenkinson and hate benzema? lol

  191. rico says:

    Me too Nickie, but reality is, if the club get this summer right, we won’t need to buy big each season.

    And imo, the only reason we need to now is because of the negligence in the last few transfer windows…

  192. Gunnerdna says:

    Wenger said: “I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this club.

    “The club has always shown faith in me and I’m very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this Club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can.”

    Action speaks louder than word, sir…

  193. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Dna is Benzema really top drawer? Don’t watch much la liga, never got me out of my seat, when i have seen him.

  194. rico says:

    Gdna, I don’t hate Benzema, I just don’t want us to sign him. And it’s all about personal opinion!

  195. Nickie says:

    Isn’t Benzema hard work to manage? Also loves to be the main man? Doesn’t get along with Giroud all too well? This deal is quite unlikely, Wenger loves Giroud and I can’t see Benzema at Arsenal while Giroud is there

  196. Gunnerdna says:

    Bt, imo Benzema is a world class striker, he could walk in any team as the starting CF in the PL.

  198. Nickie says:

    Yeah Wenger only signed Ozil because he fell on his lap lol. Wengers “hopefully i’ll have a suprise for you” after the spurs game as if he had planned Ozil all summer. Absolutely inexcusable, why is it we never seem to have a transfer plan?

  200. frednerk says:

    Remember wenger saying when spurs sacked AVB.

    As Wenger said at the time of Spurs spending spree… “There is a technical risk when you buy more than three players because you unbalance the stability of your squad…” Arsene was ­even accused of sour grapes for casting doubt on his rivals’ spending spree.

    Debate over.

  201. rico says:

    We have a manager and board who fail to be proactive imo and who fail to step out of their comfort zone to make deals happen…

  203. rico says:

    He’s no choice but to sign more than three this summer fred, two have left and we need far more than just a striker…

  206. Adam says:

    You too Lee. I have been grafting over a hot keyboard all day. Great news about Wenger signing though. 🙂

  208. Nickie says:

    Fred, Spur’s transfer plans were barely planned though were they? was more of a mad rush see who we can get with the Bale money.

  209. Lee says:

    All positive then Adam? Just hope Wenger buys what we need, apparently there’s a host of big clubs circling around Umbongo! Get the cheque book out lively!

  211. Micko says:

    Adam, it’s Africa Day in Tralee this saturday, pack your vuvuzela and your wellies, you’ll have a whale of a time !!!

  214. Adam says:

    Micko. Last time I was in Tralee, fish and chips was more expensive than at the Emirates. Mind you, there was some fish in the Tralee version.

  215. Wavy says:

    I suppose we’ll have to judge him in may………………….2017!

    I do hope we go on a winning silverware spree!

  220. snaparse says:

    afternoon all…….I know Wenger has really annoyed me this few years but u don’t mind him signing and has Scott has said we should know which direction we plan on taking as a club in the next 3 months…….so sagna is gone which is a shame IMO but just hope we get someone capable

  226. Gonerjoe says:

    Micko
    I see your a gunner from the Kingdom no wonder you expect more from Arsenal with Kerry always winning at GAA.

  228. Geziah says:

    Hi all. I’m not convinced that Jenks is ready to be 1st choice RB becoz he has a serious problem defending balls played over the top. He doesn’t read the flight of the ball too well and isn’t good at heading. We need a world class RB and my choice wud be to sign someone like Dani Alves who is rumored to be for sale plus he’s great at taking free kicks and we need a dead ball specialist.

  232. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Gough the lycra clad bollocks and Adrain born with a face to punch Durham, i remember them well. Stopped listening years ago!! lol

  235. Adam says:

    Lee. What was really amusing was that they published a current picture of him which was a long way (about 10 stone of blubber) from the one he uses at the top of his column.
    Living in a country where people like that thrive is ……

  249. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Szsc, was, in my opinion the best GK in the league. Gave us points. If we had a GK this level, we might have gone further.
    Fab, also proved a good GK. It was an excellent substitute or could even switch. Having a good GK in any circunstânicas, is always an advantage. We have to go get a new GK. Manone, was also one of the best GK in the league. Sunderland owe him part of their continuity in the League.
    Sagna, was perhaps the best right defender League when fresh and fit. Also proved a good center and could also make a left defender. We’ll have to get a pure right-back. If you do not leave anyone else, we need a center, so you can sit with 4 sides and 4 exchanges and can eg Vermaelen to play left.
    It is said that Morata is to sign. Let us wait.

  250. Wavy says:

    I’ve always preferred touch less assault, myself! Stalin had the right idea. Put them against a wall and shoot them like dogs! The final solution!

  252. rico says:

    Aaron RamseyVerified account
    ‏@aaronramsey
    Congratulations to the boss on signing for another 3 years, looking forward to building on last season’s success #WengerSigns

    Theo WalcottVerified account
    ‏@theowalcott
    Great news on the boss signing!!! Exciting times ahead #AFC
    Reply Retweet Favorite
    1:57 PM – 30 May 2014

    Looks like they are happy!

  256. rico says:

    As if they’d say anything different Micko…

    I reckon Bac was waiting to see if AW stayed on before leaving… lol

  258. Micko says:

    Didn’t Arsene give him a big smacker fa cup final day, don’t think there’s any hard feelings.

  259. rico says:

    You could start something there Potter. lol

    He did Micko, only on the top of his head though 😉

  261. Wavy says:

    I agree with Rico, I think Wenger and Sagna had a strong exchange of views which remained unresolved, as soon as it was clear AW was staying Bacary handed in his meal ticket.
    I’m not sure that he knows where he is going to end up, although I think he has several options.

  262. rico says:

    To be honest Wavy, I don’t care where he ends up now, that’s up to him. All what matters is how AW goes about this transfer window…

    But 🙂 re the Sagna silverware comment….

  263. Gonerjoe says:

    Micko
    As a yellow belly I can only remember one all Ireland in my life time we have won two in my life time. The one in 1968 I was a 7 year old living in London. Maybe this is why I am less upset when Arsenal don’t win things for oh let me check it’s nine years isn’t.

  264. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Wavy, i read a quote attributed to Sagna, along the lines of he couldn’t believe that Song was sold and questioned the club ambitions.Seemed to take it to heart about Song being sold.

  265. Gunnerdna says:

    Di Maria “It hurts when you’re always doing your best for your club and then you hear that you might be going to Tottenham.” lol

  266. Wavy says:

    I do remember him making a few remarks about us losing our best players I didn’t know he had a ‘ thing’ about Song though. He must have thought him a damned sight better than we did! If that’s his level of achievement then he’d better go and sing for his supper!! Fenerbahce it is then! You know he needs to be playing with a better class of player!
    I hope he enjoys where he goes to but I have to question his loyalty and belief in his former team mates!
    Mmm?

  272. allezkev says:

    Di Maria rubbishing the Scum is just the perfect way to win over the Arsrnal fan base, if he is actually being lined up as Wenger’s expensive gift to us all…

  273. allezkev says:

    The question that I would really like to see answered by Arsene Wenger and the management of the club, is, when we consider the folly of allowing players’ to run down their contracts, why wasn’t Sagna given a new improved 3 or 4 year contract in the summer of 2012….

    Surely the club didn’t really think it made financial sense to leave him on his present deal, just so they could save some dough during 2013 & 2014….???

    If they did, then they are a damned sight more stupid than I already consider them to be…

    Short term idiocy….

  279. Gonerjoe says:

    Allezkev
    Your point on letting players contracts run down is unfair on the club because if the player doesn’t want to sign what can they do.
    Another point when we sold RVP to man utd the the club took a bollacking for not keeping him and running down he’s contract.
    Remember it’s not just Arsenal all the power is with the players when it comes to contracts.

  281. rico says:

    I disagree there Joe, if a player doesn’t want to extend their contract, then the cub should sell them as soon as they are aware…

  282. Gonerjoe says:

    What about RVP lots of posters even on this site wanted to keep him and make him play out he’s contract.
    What if the player says to the club I will sign the contract on offer and then strings them along. Remember it’s in the players best interests to string clubs along.

  283. snaparse says:

    evening Rico and the house……contract situations are sometimes more complicated but I think the player involved has as much power as the board when it comes to negotiations

  284. rico says:

    Joe, you have to look at each individual case imo. We all knew RvP was irreplaceable and that was proved.

    A 31 year old right back and a reserve goal keeper can be replaced…

  285. rico says:

    Evening snaparse. And of course, I suspect the player fails to be honest, especially if they are driven by money…

  287. Gonerjoe says:

    Rico
    Don’t take this the wrong way but that’s like having one rule for your favourite and another rule for another less liked.
    I mean according to your last post we should have sold one of the best right backs in PL. Because he would not sign a new contract last season when he had only one year left on he’s contract. And keep one of the best forwards in same position. That’s why I felt people are being unfair on the club and there are many reason to have a go at the club That they deserve but not this one.

  288. allezkev says:

    You miss the point Gonerjoe…

    I said the summer of 2012, when Sagna has two years on his contract and still had a value in the transfer market…

    RVP should have been sorted two years before his contract expired as well…

    To allow players to run their contract down to one year remaining is not good business

  289. Wavy says:

    It may not be good business, you are right, but there is always more to the story than we are privy to. It was in both cases manager/player fall out time. Vis. There were issues! What they were we may know until the ‘autobiographies appear, then again, we may die guessing!
    Sagna, RVP. There’s more to them than is dreamed of in our philosophy.
    If Wenger lives long enough to tell the tale, and is disloyal enough to tell it……..all may yet be revealed. Then again he may well decide to take it to the grave.

  290. richard in spain says:

    If Sagna cant manage on £80,000 a week I feel sorry for the greedy git,bad hes gone for free though we have seen em all come and go and we are always near the top of the tree so I still have faith wait till hes spent all these millions

  292. Sukky says:

    I know that there is more to the stories than we heard.Something may have happened between Sagna and Wenger which we may never know.Sagna is gone,let’s deal with that.

  293. allezkev says:

    I was listening to that prat Alan Green on the radio, and he painted his usual idiotic picture.

    Saw the 2nd half on TV and thought England did ok..

    Anyone that expects international football, in general, to be anything but dull, is really kidding themselves…
    It was a typical warm-up game.
    An exercise in getting match fit..

  295. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    Your right kev,what I would add is that the young england players that were left on the pitch were running full pelt for everything a great way to finish a game in my humble opinion.

  296. frednerk says:

    Had a quick look this moaning..yer know .see if we signed anybody yet..
    Nearly jumped out me chair “Arsenal 23million signing”

    Wengers 3 contract..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

  297. rico says:

    Joe, what I was trying to say is the club need to find out from the players if they intend to stay or not during the summer before their contract is up.

    If a player ‘truly’ wants to remain at Arsenal, telling them to sign or be sold will soon make up their mind..

    I’m sure if AW didn’t honestly believe Theo was going to sign on a couple of Jan’s ago, he’d have been sold…

    No other club sees so many players who matter leave for free. There has to be a reason for that…

  300. Nick The Gooner says:

    For the record he never had a moment during the cup final (as an x goalkeeper) I’ve analysed his decision to come out. It was so correct
    If he had stayed “on his line” then Hull had a free unmarked player to cross to and simple tap in – goal 3-3 and penalties
    Instead he closed the player out pushed him wide and the angle was just too acute for the pace – even allowing Kibbs to man the line -no goal and the rest is history

  302. TeeCee says:

    Hard to replace that bumbling idiot in goal?? Hilarious!! He cost us so many games over the years, he was rubbish, like many keepers before him under Arsene Wonga. A couple of decent games in the cup don’t make him halfway decent even. His headless chicken moment in the final (yet again) almost cost us dear. Thank god he’s gone!!

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