Morning all.
So Gabriel is finally an Arsenal player and if he’s as hard as he looks, we are in for a treat. We’ve lack a bit of physicality at the back for a while now, probably since the day Big Sol left us. Actually, make that Martin Keown, he didn’t take much c**p did he….
So, that’s the much needed defender in and that should spell the end of seeing either Debuchy or Monreal having to play out of position. Now we have four centre-backs!
Q: How influential was Arsene Wenger in your decision to come to club?
A: To me it’s something big… I came on his request, on the coach’s request. He asked to sign me and that gives me more strength and the will to be able to work. I see that he’s a coach that has been here for many years and this is important, not only for the team but also for the club. This is very important for everyone that works here in the club, to have a coach like this.
Q: What have you made of Arsenal’s performances this season?
A: The few games I have watched and witnessed, during the season, I saw that there is room for improvement. We have a lot to conquer because Arsenal is a very big club, we must always be at the top.
I think it’s a club that will keep growing throughout the season, and that over the next few years we will be able to win important titles.
Q: You will be competing with the likes of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny for a place in the team. How highly do you rate them?
A: I’m coming to a very big club and I know that I will play with great players. While respecting everyone, I want to play for my place in the team. I know that is not going to be easy, I must show my potential, I have to show that I can be in the group, that the manager can count on me.
Read more of his interview in the Mirror Online.
Arsene Wenger on his new signing:
He has good pace, he’s good in the challenge and he’s tall – so he can adapt to English football. Maybe it will take some time to adapt completely, but overall it’s very good to have him.
He’s very ambitious, focused and serious. That’s important at a club like ours – you need to have a complete focus on your job. He has that.
Like I said the other day, let’s hope he adapts as quickly as Alexis. Good players do that.
More good news is that before Joel Campbell left for Spain as part of the same deal, he signed a new long term contract. I’m pleased about that, he’s a real worker, a bit like Alexis without the experience but that will come, he’s still a kid really in footballing terms but now he’s our kid for a long time.
Just as Krystian Bielik is and he too could have a great Arsenal future ahead of him if he’s as good as reports suggest.
But what about that experienced midfielder, over the next five days we’ll find out if the manager will finally bring such a player into the squad or whether he’ll stick with who he has until the summer. If it’s the latter, it’s a big risk imo. Fingers crossed Arsene has a plan and such a player arrives.
Then things really will look so much better for the squad and for the next two and a half years.
Robert Pires said a few days ago that Thierry Henry would be the right man to replace Arsene Wenger when his contract expires but of course, he’d need to get his coaching badges and funny enough, that’s just what he’s doing.
Both Henry and old team-mate Freddie Ljungberg are spending time in Wales where they hope to earn their UEFA B licence.
Shame they aren’t both fifteen years younger eh…..
That’s it for a very cold Thursday….
Its great that we have signed a real CB, I hope it works out Gabriel!
While Im at it though, we should tip our hats to Monreal and Debuchy for filling in, and who I think did an admirable job in the circumstances – at least a much better than many expected! And Chambers too, he came in and looked solid for a young man. So, no more square pegs round holes in defence 🙂
I think we’d struggle to pick up anyone better than the Coq, assuming this is him turning a corner, rather than a freakily good patch of form; I think attackers are more prone to the purple patch effect though, so I’m optimistic.
Then again, it’s hard not to be optimistic after a few good wins and a new defender, not to mention a few returning stars as well.
Dick swiveller: enjoying the performances of the Coq……….
🙂 Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Defo reasons to be optimistic. Shame we hadn’t done this strengthening in the summer though, kind of feels like the horse has bolted on this season.
Morning all.
Roger, couldn’t agree more re Monreal, Debuchy and square pegs!
Dick, I worry if he picks up an injury, then we are back to the other French one who waves his arms around but does little else…
A loan deal would do me, as long we sort things in the summer…
Lewis – does make you wonder eh..
That second place is still gettable, with a bit of lady luck… 🙂
And the CL, FA Cup 🙂
Hadn’t even connected my screenname and the Coq before!
If Flamini has the rest of the team around him doing their job, and a solid defence behind him, I’m ok with him playing a bit. Rather not though, for obvious reasons. Maybe give Chambers a bash there instead, he’s not needed in defence at the moment.
Is Flamini’s contract up in the summer? I hope so, should be the end of him and Diaby.
That’ll free up big money to pay Morgan Schneiderlin…
Number 5 it is for Gabriel…
Coq’s been firm in midfield, it has to be said.
His form has certainly risen…
Yes Lee. Coq has certainly stiffened up the back!!!
Trouble with Flamini and Szczecny is they both spread panic so the centre-backs never know what they are going to do next!
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
GP5 looks like a good signing, except for that ghastly hair cut. Maybe one of his new team mates can recommend a good barber. Here’s hoping that is the only complaint I have of him this season.
ManUre will probably spend three times or more on the likes of Mats Hummels. I doubt he will be three times better though.
Hi all,
It would be fantastic if Man U spends hundreds of millions this season and finish outside the top 4.
I saw that English teams spent $770m on foreign players in the last 12 months and next closest is Spain on $308m. How much of that was Tottenham, Liverpool Man U and Chelsea alone.
Flamoney, headless chicken that he is, is definitely past his expiry date. I’m sure one of Rico’s chooks could do just as well, but in deference to Rico, with it’s head intact – of course.
Le Coq should be give preference as he shows more discipline, effort, intelligence and potential. His development will benefit from more playing time.
Good read Rico… your game is definitely up like Le Coq’s… 😉
Come on lady and gents leave my Flamoney alone… its not his fault he is clueless.
Hi Cg, long time Sir… hows the weather like in your patch?
bradster – ManUre will have to spend big to ensure they get back into the Champions League. I understand that some of their biggest sponsorship deals have performance clauses.
If they don’t make it this season, they will have to pay over the odds for the players they so desperately need.
The player i hate seeing in arsenal shirt is flamini,the guy is so useless,he offers nothing.I cant see wenger extending his contract.Am glad le coq is getting all the praise he deserve.The kid got a big future if he keep this up
Ginge – Hello. The weather here on the west coast has been fairly good of late, warmer than normal. None of the local ski hills have all of their runs open due to the warm weather and are lucky if they have 20-25% of their normal snow base (depth).
As for Flamoney, who do we blame? The doctor/midwife, maybe he was dropped at birth. He is more proof that temporary stopgaps are rarely worth the risk or the wages.
Afternoon, Flamini still has another yr on his contract, he signed for 3 yrs not two…!
🙂 Bob..
Morning Cg.. You had me worried for a minute..
Thanks Ts..
Rico – It’s been a while since I worried a young lass – then I realized you were referring to your chicken. LOL
Lol Cg… If I remember correctly Flamster commented on how much tactical awareness he had learnt over in Milan. 😛
That comment made me laugh because being teh sad man I am I knew he played mainly at RB/LB and hardly in midfield…
I have nothing against Flamini staying if he comes in as a RB or sub but he has to take a pay cut to stay..
Wath you are right he has another year left.
Sukky- I made up my mind on Flamini on his debut against Spuds when he made a 2 legged diving tackle that could have resulted in us being down to 10-men.
Even Pep thought at the time most pundits thought Flamini was better than Arteta that we were stronger in midfield for the 2nd leg in Bavaria because MA08 played instead of Flamster…
Deep joy Wath….
Mind you, we might get a tenner for him in the summer…
🙂 Cg, an old lass more like…
Wath – Put Grandad on standby to drive Flamoney to the airport. Kev can take his fare out of the tenner Rico seems to think we could get for him.
Ginge – That “tactical awareness” must have been lost in translation from Italian to English.
I’d pay the cab fare Cg…
Ts, Tactical awareness in Otaly is lots of arm flapping have you not noticed…. CG, I’ll give Grandad plenty of warning..!
Rico – I’m sure you are not the only one in the House that would be willing to pay his fare. There would be no shortage of takers.
Off for the night. Have a great day everyone.
i thought monreal could displace PM04 at cb but the fa cup match changed my mind
Sanchez a doubt for Villa…….
That’s not good news, what’s up with him?
Back ache from carrying the team… 😆
Hamstring apparently…
🙂 🙂 Lee
Vote Santi 🙂
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150126/cazorla-again-up-for-pfa-fans-award
Costa to challenge his violent conduct charge, hope they give him an extra game ban!
And Jose is sulking so won’t hold a press conference ahead of their game with City….
Dead on here so catch up later…
like i said on sunday,its unnecessary risk playing alexie when the game was already won.Seems wenger didnt learn from last season
Evening All…
Gotta say that señor Paulista looks a proper defender…
Hope so, Kev
One who takes pride in the art of defending, first and foremost…a defender…
Morning Rico and all.
Morning Adam and all..
Been locked out of wordpress for the last hour!
Yeah BT, looks can be deceiving, as Cygan looked the part and definately wasn’t, but we live in hope buddy…
Morning All
Morning Adam.
Blimey, there some rain last night, but today looks ok…
Morning Rico…
That WordPress, such tinkers… 😉
What happened?
Morning Kev. Was my own fault for forgetting my password… 🙁
Morning all.
Morning Scott…
Passwords, a pain…
Sanchez rested this weekend…
Walcott comes in.
Same team as ManCity.
Keep the show on the road..!
No need for too much tinkering at this stage, with one game a week…
Save Rosicky, Ozil and Pailista for the FAC vs Boro…
Save Sanchez for the Scum.
We will belt Villa.
3-1.
Aaron will bag three 🙂
Agree Kev and if we can’t beat Villa without him, then…..
🙂 Scott.
New Post Up Now….