Morning all.
Now this is more like it!
Gilbert Imbula Wanga, known as Gianelli Imbula (born September 12, 1992 in Vilvoorde, Belgium) is a French professional football player. Currently, he plays in the Ligue 2 for En Avant de Guingamp. He also holds the citizenship of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He made his professional debut in Ligue 2 on October 16, 2009 for En Avant de Guingamp in a game against Dijon FCO, becoming the youngest player in Ligue 2 history at 17 years, 1 month and 4 days of age.
The above is from the ever reliable Wikipedia of course, the story about Wenger being after the player is from the ever unreliable Daily Mail.
However, this player has Arsene Wenger written all over him, young, plays in the French league but he’s not French. He’s Belgian.
He’s valued around the £8 million mark, so he could be a possibility. Mind you, so could Diame for half the price.
With just twelve days left in this current transfer window, Wenger/Gazidis or whoever deals with the transfers, needs to get busy!
And before anyone suggests that Wenger telling us that we are overloaded in midfield so we shouldn’t expect a midfield signing, when has what Wenger has spun told us meant anything?
In fact, whatever he says, it’s usually a safe bet to think the opposite.
Mind you, he did say he was 99% sure Theo Walcott would sign a new contract and shock horror, he did.
So would I if I played like he does sometimes and just for signing the contract I earned myself £3 million!!
Here he is looking very excited!!
Theo now wants to help the club kick on and start winning trophies:
I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with.
What’s important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.
Maybe what is just as important, maybe more than winning trophies even, is Theo Walcott finally starts to earn his new improved wage of £90,000 a week. I don’t mean the odd few goals or a great cross for Giroud to bury, or against a tiring side. I mean week in, week out.
He also needs to start helping the team out to by getting back to defend when we are up against it. Not all the time of course because there’s little point in having our quickest attacking player back in our own penalty area when we break but if he’s earning that kind of money, he should be intelligent enough to know when those occasions are.
Another who needs to do a lot more is Abou Diaby and that bit more is about staying fit. Wenger believes that when he is at his best, he gives our midfield a whole new dimension.
He can defend, he can attack, he is strong in the challenge, he can dribble, he can pass players. He is very quick in the transition. He can quickly cross the pitch when you win the ball. And he is good in the air and he is a fighter with great stamina.
If you love football and you see a player like Abou, you want him to have the career he deserves, especially when he has the attitude that he has. You have to have patience. Because what did he do wrong? Nothing. You have to give him a chance.
Arsene Wenger must have a good memory, when was the last time we saw Abou do all of that?
We will be buying noone….after all Diaby is like a new signing and did we not sign Walcott on a new deal? That is as much work as the overstretched player purchase/sale department can deal with.After all they are still recovering after that great coupe of selling RvP…
and morning all:P
Morning all,
I can almost see the smile on your face Rico, You had me going there for a minute when you said. ‘He can defend, he can attack, he is strong in the challenge, he can dribble, he can pass players. He is very quick in the transition. He can quickly cross the pitch when you win the ball. And he is good in the air and he is a fighter with great stamina’.
Then i realised you were talking about Diaby and not Walcott 🙂
Morning all…
I’m not convinced we’ll sign no-one TT, just won’t be who we’d all like….
😆 Sp, that’s made me smile ….
Morning Rico, Nice one 🙂
I’m wondering if the game will be on ok, what’s it like in London today Sp?
Diame is crap imo. Don’t know what you’re on about. He plays same role as Abou but is not as good. Wenger is right Diaby is really good on the ball but if you have half an idea of football as you write, you’ll know that players need consistency and games under their belt to hit their potential.
Its not Abou’s fault that he can’t help being injured, in fact he’d suffered a leg break earlier in his England career, which may have been a factor.
When you ask questions like “Arsene Wenger must have a good memory, when was the last time we saw Abou do all of that?” and you say things like “Another who needs to do a lot more is Abou Diaby and that bit more is about staying fit”, its almost like you’re saying its Abou fault he can’t stay fit.
I have seen Abou go past players effortlessly, none other in our team is most efficient with his back to goal ( he rarely goes back to the keeper or defenders, very good with creating space for himself and deceptively good on the tackle, as he uses his long legs to an advantage). Abou consistently gets into the French national team when fit for a reason. Its no fluke.
I take time out to read your blog because i respect your opinion but this reading leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Miquel is back from injury, there goes a defender signing…..
Pls Mr. Wenger, we need a strong mobile defensive midfielder.
We all new 2 months ago that january was the time we would all be talking about….WAIT FOR IT.
Walnut and Diaby
Wenger the spin
Morning Mr Dux, you don’t do humour then??
Of course his injury is not his fault, of course he needs to stay fit and prove he is worth Wenger relying on him..
We pay him a wage each month but he seldom plays, does that make good sense to you?
No sentiment in football, just ask Eduardo….!!
And Miquel fred…
I said a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t be surprised if Diaby was fit before he was returned and I wouldn’t be surprised if TW deal had been sorted earlier too.
All done to coincide with this window….
But I do think he’s make one or maybe two signings, especially if/when Tomas, Arshavin and anyone else goes….
Can anyone tell me a business that would let you go sick,
on full pay other than football
Good question fred and the answer is no…. two warnings and then sacked…..
Morning Rico. If Diaby is fit, then great, but relying on him being so would be rather silly.
Morning All,
Mr Dux, the fact is your comment is your opinion and as a reader of this blog you’ll know it’s all about opinions on here not slagging each other off we all agree or we don’t but we all respect what we hear from others despite it fitting in with our own views or not..!
I don’t think Diame is the answer but we def need a big physical player in midfield for when Diaby is injured again and it was a huge mistake from Wenger in August to not cover Diaby..! Just my opinion of course…!
Boo!! I hope you guys are not too cold. 😉 rico, I had the same reaction as SSP.
SSP, how are you? 🙂 Hiya, Fred. 🙂
Wath. Now that opinion has left a rather sweet taste in my mouth. Like heather honey in fact, laced with ambrosia.
“Of course his injury is not his fault, of course he needs to stay fit and prove he is worth Wenger relying on him..”
You still don’t get it. What else can he do to stay fit other than being professional and having the right attitude with his work which we hear he’s a model example of?
The lad is unlucky with injuries, that’s hardly his fault, in fact from what we hear (and you should know since you regard yourself as ITK), Abou’s physique has been altered as a result of the leg break, one leg being longer than the other or something like that. The result is a culmination of these nagging injuries. When fit Diaby will be a phenominal player. Le’t not talk a good player out of Arsenal FC. Manchester United is reaping off Van Persie now.
Morning Adam – I share your view and we have relied on an unfit Diaby for far too long…
What a player we have on our books:
Sebastien Squillaci
Someone give him a job
The skinny ponce
Mr Dux. Surely nobody is criticising him personally for being unfit? It is the fact that he is unfit for such long periods that is the problem. Can you not see the distinction?
Morning Wath and agag
It’s very chilly…..
Fred. Steady on there. 🙂
Regardless of who’s fault it is Mr Dux, he is never fit enough to play, therefore we are paying him a wage for doing nothing, he is taking up a place in the squad and that is not good footballing business….
Ambrosia rice pudding for brekkie Adam, what a way to start off a chilly morning indeed…..
I don’t see anyone claiming to be ITK Mr Dux….! If a player is permanently injured for what ever reasons it makes that player a huge gamble to rely on having their services for a whole season don’t you think…? That seems to me what the post is stating simple as that… You seem to see the post as having a completely different agenda.
Go fred 😉
Fred, I heard he sweeping up in the dressing rooms on matchdays as he feels guilty about picking up his 50k a week…………. NOT..!
Mr Dux, chill. 🙂 Hi, Adam. 🙂
What is ITK?
Hopefully Squilli is clearing snow and then home to pack his bags….
when did paying 8m for a second division player make sense?
Wath. It’s the breakfast of champions. If only I could bring myself to get up this freezing morning I might have some. 🙂
Ah, Mrs Adam has just bought me a cuppa.
Hi Agag. I am chilled. 🙂 rather too chilled actually.
What is wrong with some this morning, who said paying that makes sense silentstan????
You did Rico. 🙂
I thought it was a scandalous remark myself.
If any of you guy’s have played,you will know the feeling of looking forward to the game/match
I thought for years,
That Money can’t buy that feeling.
Ok I was wrong
Did I Adam, how silly of me…
I was so sure I just intimated that a player from Div 2 in France, one who no-one has probably heard of, seems the more likely to be snapped up by Wenger…
And for £8 million – would be so typical …..
Not a buffoon at all. That is way, way over the top.
Just a country girl. 🙂
Stiliyan Petrov (wish him speedy recovery) can’t play right now due to no fault of his, no one is asking Aston Villa to get rid of, Steven Fletcher was told he might not play again, Manchester United fans did not ask him to be rid of-
My point is Abou’s injuries are no fault of his, we gooners have class and shouldnt be behaving like the lot down the road. Personally i think Diaby will come good. The vibes we got preseason showed that we are gradually getting to the time we will see an injury free Diaby.
We bought a large piece of equipment at work, used, but didn’t have the money to do a total overhaul, so we set about it piecemeal, once a problem reared its head, now almost two years after we have standard machine. Give the lad time.
In The Know……………….. ITK
Wake up Rico……
I see Mrs Adam is trying to make up for her behaviour the other day Adam….! Brekkie won’t be far behind I reckon….! eggs benedict and smoked salmon with Veuve of course…! plus the Ambrosia to finish it all off…!
Mr Dux, we given him time for the last 5/6 years… your thoughts are commendable but your not addressing the problem, he cannot be relied upon…! We need to buy a player similar to him so there isn’t the pressure on him to stay fit for three games a week which his body cannot manage quite obviously… he needs to be supplemented not replaced and sold…! For me he is a squad player NOT someone who can and should be looked at a regular when we know full well he cannot stay fit for what ever reasons.
I thought better and changed it to silly Adam, we country girls are know to be that…
Thanks Wath, maybe I need some Ambrosia Rice Pudding…
MrD, you have your view and I have mine. Just a good job we don’t have another five Diaby’s eh, otherwise we’d have a very small squad….
If Mbiwa goes to the barcodes I think we have really missed a trick with him…! AND for relatively small money…!
Mr Dux. He has cost Arsenal over £23 million so far. When you consider his contributions during that time do you believe that to be a good return. If there was limitless money then it would not be so bad.
Nobody here is disputing his quality. But to use the curious analogy of your machine, if the maintenance of it during its non-functioning period meant that you and several other employees had to lose their jobs so it could sit there idle, would you be overjoyed?
Wenger has not been realistic with Diaby and the team has suffered. That is my belief.
The preseason vibes were looking promising but how long did that last? Again.
You cannot rely on a fit Diaby. If history teaches us anything, it is that.
I was just reading that Wath, that would be a real shame if we miss out on him….
Was so hoping Walcott was sold, he cannot head, pass, tackle and misses the majority of chances!!! WTF £100k a week, “I can do that, giz a job!!!” Shud have signed Ben Arfa and Diame instead!
Is Mbiwa going to Newcastle? Now that is a player who can do a job at Arsenal
Wath. Mrs Adam is one of those curious people who eats savoury food for breakfast. Toast with Gruyere is de rigeur chez Adam. I have just suggested toast with marmalade would be good and I think I hear the stirrings of that in the kitchen.
Diaby’s could turn out to be a great player we all know that
Wenger said last night..He is the nearest player he has seen to the great Patrick.
What wenger is saying is,he will continue to rely on Diaby
even if it’s only for 8 games a year or what ever.
But we all know that he is an accident that will happen
Form book tell’s you that.
Fred you bloody pessimist 😀
TC, have no fear fella the new contract merely means we can sell Theo for 20 million in the summer not 8 million now…!
Adam, I’d so want to smell the bacon and the fresh ground coffee as well mate especially after her shenanigans the other day…! She has a lot to make up for..!
” Diaby has a very serious life, he doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t go out, and is very conscientious in training. So you always feel sorry for him, so you always touch wood it will go well for him. Honestly, what he has gone through is unbelievable.
If you love football and you see a player like Abou, you want him to have the career he deserves, especially when he has the attitude that he has. You have to have patience. Because what did he do wrong? Nothing. You have to give him a chance. ” – Arsene Wenger.
Damn Dan Smith.
Now that Walcott has been signed up, the new signings will be like buses. Arsene said so, so it must be true.
We have to give him a chance says Arsene………….. How many chances Arsene at the expense of the team….
We should of bought a big physical midfielder 2 yeras ago to cover the fact we know Diaby is always injured simple as that and all the good will in the world doesn’t cover up the fact wenger has failed to address Diaby’s short comings and the team has suffered. Sentiment is fine but not to the detriment of the team. Harsh but true. We not in the charity business.
Looks like (shag me best mates wife) Terry’s being rolled out by rafa tomorrow.
You polished up the hip flask Lee…?
Good morning all,
Mr. Dux is bravely defending Diaby and is wholly entitled to do so, he might want to consider a fact or two though.
Diaby has been at Arsenal since 2005, in the intervening seven and a half seasons he has made a total of 171 appearances in all competitions, 42 of those were as a substitute, in that time he has scored 19 goals.
2009/10 was his best ever season with 40 appearances 5 of which were as sub and just 7 goals.
Hardly an impressive record and certainly not a good return on the money invested in him.
Mr DuX forgive me for butting in but i feel i must say something about Diaby He might be all the things you say he is but i must point out that he hasn’t done anywhere near the amount of work he should have for the amount of money he ha earned . Maybe not his fault that he’s all ways injured, but while he’s recovering we still pay him if he was a horse we would have shot him. His fitness other the years tells me he is a covering player what we need is a dependable player who plays for a complete season when Diaby can do that you can sing he’s praises untill then diaby will still be called sick note from me. Hi Agag fine thank you, i hope your well 🙂
I’m not in the league of people who believe stats tell all the story.
Hi Rico, SP, WATH, Fred,Adam and TC and all you lovely Gooners.
I here what is being said about Diaby, early in his career he promised so much, and looked to have everything, but then came the injuries. I think that Arsene has never been able to put all his Dux in a row….. with regards the constant injuries, and as you say is happy to have Diaby play 8 games a season. I agree as a squad player, he could play one game a week, (if he remained fit) but we need another strong midfielder like him to play a more permanent role in the midfield.
Wenger will sign three players that i know;1defender,1defensive midfielder;capoue/wayanma/biglai/Y’man villa,then a striker;cavani,adrian/zaha/or sm1 else.
You are all heart Adam….
TC/Wath – have to agree, all that new contract means is we get money for him at some stage if he doesn’t get a lot better or the next manager wants rid…
But then isn’t that the same for all the others who sign.
I find it a little odd that Wallcot has been given only a three and a half year contract when the famous five all re-signed on five years. I think maybe W.A.T.H is right and this is a holding deal, if Theo doesn’t produce the goods he will be off-loaded next summer or the one after that.
Morning Lee. How are the roads out your way?
Hi JW, totally agree, Mr Dux and anyone else is entitled to their opinion and are free to express it.
Just do it nicely 🙂
Thank you Rico.
I was expecting you to write “Get out of bed Adam, you old toad”.
I am actually up now.
Morning Lee, did your lad win??
Hi Marinello – that’s where we go wrong though, relying on a guy who can’t stay fit.
Mr Dux,
The whole story is Diaby has been a disaster, it doesn’t matter how good he is, if he cannot play the majority of the clubs fixtures he’s a waste of money.
JW – TW turned down the five year offer back in August…
Now come on JW just say what your thinking mate 🙂
I’m in agreement with most who say we need a more dependable player in the box to box role. Don’t get me wrong.
That we have not signed one is hardly Diabi’s fault, you can blame the manager for that. But what I find unjustifiable is Rico’s assertion that
“Another who needs to do a lot more is Abou Diaby and that bit more is about staying fit.”
Do you get my point now? Diaby is doing everything to keep fit. Its not his fault that is not happening. The manager should have bought an alternative long ago! That is what got me ticked off, how in the world is Abou to do more to get fit?
Morning Marinello…. How you mate… Hope all well. No one is denying when fit Diaby gives us a presence in midfield and Wenger has mentioned this on numerous occasions when Diaby has been injured so why does Arsene not buy someone to make sure we have two similar players knowing Diaby is always injured. Poor management… You cannot keep feeling sorry for an injured player, he didn’t with Eduardo did he…? Diaby gets handsomely paid for hardly playing, loyalty enough especially after his last new contract he got when he’d been out for 8 months..!
Does Mario Gotze have a £30 million release clause in his current contract??
Just asking 😉
Rico. I see we are looking likely to lose the 3rd ODI in India.
Mr Dux
Imho, which I am entitled to, Diaby has to do a lot more to keep fit, stay fit and prove he’s worth keeping…
You think he is doing all he can.
Thats fine, move on for goodness sake……..
Any predictions on the score tomorrow?
i fancy 2-1 to us. Or am I being a tad optimistic?
Both teams need to win to stay in touch with the Mancs, so
it should prove to be an interesting attacking match.
It’s dreadful Adam, just watching the Indians choose their spot and find it….
Rico. They could do with Diaby out there I think.
Mr Dux, are you his Dad by any chance…? you seem to of got very upset over the wording of a comment… How do you know for a fact Diaby is trying his best to get fit..? How do you know that he is in fact just going through the motions.. You don’t unless your part of the medical team at the club your merely going by what AW says and half of that is to justify why Diaby is still around and why he hasn’t bought someone… Perspective I would say….! It’s neither one nor the other..! If you have been a reader on here long enough as you say then you will now we have all blamed the manager for not buying a replacement for Diaby for years now.
Maybe I worded that wrong at 11.25. He needs to do a lot more to prove he’s worth keeping, let alone relying on….
I’d sell him if I was the club…..
He’d be good enough for England Adam, at least he wouldn’t be expected to last 50 overs 😉
Marinello… both teams can’t defend……….. I reckon 6-5 but no idea to whom….!
Rico, ask Gotze he will tell you I’m sure…. Another media “story”…??
Yes i think Diaby is doing all he can. Finally we agree on something.
We agree to disagree
Hi Wath, I am good thanks mate. Had a sinus op at end of October, not very pleasant, but now have a sense of smell for the first time in about 6 years, although it comes and goes.
I went to the Swansea match, bloody freezing, Swansea made 9 changes, and no Micho. Great to see Jack play a blinder. And also good to see Diaby play for once. Must be difficult trying to run with one leg shorter than the other. Could they not fit him with a sort of surgical boot, to compensate for the lack of inches…..
The roads are ok in North Essex and in South Suffolk thanks Adam. It was football practice and my son has finally realised that passing the ball is a good thing. I’ve still got a feeling that we are going to sign a big name….
The gym is calling me, speak later peeps.
6 – 5 Eh! W.A.T.H. Reminds me of the old 50s TV show with Don Lang and his Frantic Five. “Six-five Special steamin’ down the line…”
The real problem with Diaby is that when he does get fit and starts to play quite well, he gets injured and leaves us in shit street, Arteta gets dragged back to cover him and we lose an attacking midfielder. Arteta does well but he is not a BIG DIRTY BASTARD THAT WE NEED. For F–ks sake Wenger buy one.
More rubbish then Wath… I will ask him…
WATH, Stevepalmer, Rico,
I honestly believe he ‘s got to be over the worst of the nightmare by now. he’s a good player.
Who would be your replacement though? I don’t rate Diame as much as some do, I feel even Mulumbu of West Brom is better. But for whatever reason, he hasn’t had a look-in by any of the big teams. My personal choice is Fellaini but that is not going to happen.
Marinello,
Is that why he tends to run in circles? 😀
Glad all ok Marinello… Smell is a good thing, Ask Adam it makes him get out of bed… Eventually… He smells his brekkie..!
PV4 had one leg longer than the other as well, with Diaby it’s due to that twat at Sunderland and the subsequent ops that have caused the problem.
We still need another physical player for central midfield. Mbiwa would do me…!
Mr. Dux,
“I honestly believe he ‘s got to be over the worst of the nightmare by now”.
Three pigs just flew past my window.
Mr Dux, we all have our opinions on who we should or shouldn’t buy, I am with you I don’t really rate Diame, I like Mbiwa and also Capoue and Sissoko I would also still take a gamble on M’Vila and make sure his contract has clauses in case he plays up…! Fellaini for me gets a lot further forward and i’d buy him and still one more to maybe sit in behind him. Imagine the spine of the team then and the height and the physical presence. It’s very much overlooked but the invincibles were a huge physical side….! We’re now a bunch of midgets and we lack the physical presence to intimidate and play top quality football. Also helps to defend against hoof ball as well.
I read somewhere that Squillaci is looking at a move to the South of France, maybe to Cannes…. I suppose from his point of view having amassed a small fortune over the last 3 seasons, for being retired, he fancies a bit of sunshine to see out the remaining years of his career…..
Let’s hope you are right MrD, but somehow, I suspect you won’t be,…..
Mr Dux, i do hope your right mate, i like the way Diaby plays. But i liked Alex Song so what do i know.
SP sings a Song… go wash your mouth out mate….!! No more GG for you after that comment 😀
Fellaini for me gets a lot further forward and i’d buy him and still one more to maybe sit in behind him.
—
You’d be asking too much of Wenger to buy a box to box midfielder and a defensive mid, same window.
The game against Swansea shows how the team should be set up. Coquelin had a good game last time, keep him there, he will get better.
This window we should be buying another b2b mid to support or replace Diaby and a world class striker who can convert the chances we create. Wishes I know.
Mr Dux you asked who I would like not who I thought Wenger would buy 😉
fair enough wath
Wath 🙂 Whats the motto at the top :)and leave my tipple alone.
When fit Diaby is an okay player. When fit he has one good game in five. The thing is is that he is NEVER fully fit.
I said in summer that he would be injured on 2nd Sept and come back in January so he couldn’t be replaced by Wenger. I was just over 20 days out.
He’s not the solution to a problem; he’s a problem in us finding a solution.
Wenger has far too much sentiment for this guy and I for one can’t work out his agenda.
Not including the shite that we have out on loan, we have six players that could be replaced with world class players and which would take us up and easily past the level of Manchester Utd. For me Diaby would be one of those. Squillaci, Frimpong, Coquelin, Gervais, Santos are the others. All mediocre players.
Good morning all,
the traitor £$P has left twitter.
SYG, you read TA’s article in the Independent ?
Far to many mediocre players that we know full well should not be earning a living at Arsenal but you and I both know it’s not gonna change over night. this lot have a free retirement fund and we been paying for it. Very poor wage management from the club, atrocious in fact but as we all know they far to busy patting themselves on the back for a job well done in ripping off us the fans.
It’s my tipple SP I got you on to it…. 😛
I didn’t WATH. When I get a minute I’ll have a read> I’m in the gym at the moment doing the three sets of fifteen with one of the lads….. Hope you’re keeping well, mate.
Probably he is not happy that Theo penned a new deal yesterday
Splitting hairs Wath 🙂
All good here mate…. three sets of fifteen…. 15 sips per pint i reckon 😉
the bitching on this blog makes me laugh….
It’s why I can’t always get some SP… your buying the bloody stock up…! You and AGAG…! Gonna have to chat to the chaps in France about direct distribution me thinks…………
Doing that tonight WATH. 120 sips of Lal Toofan in the Khyber…
Good man SY….. You got shares in that place..?
So pleased your amused ray…..! small things and all that….
Started making my own wine Wath, with a still i may start making my own:)
Keep me posted SP I may have to have a try mate… If you can only make it onto the 4th tee I know it’s good stuff…!
When i get into production i’ll be in touch
Don’t blow the garage up FFS…..!
Tony Adams re: Wenger
What will the legacy be for Wenger if his time in charge of Arsenal ends without further success? “Arsène will do what Arsène wants to do,” Adams says. “I played with him for six years, I have met him a few times. The more I get to know him the less I know him. I haven’t got a clue how that man thinks, or how he works. He is a difficult man to fathom.”
Wow. Nail on the head or just bitter????
Good Morning Rico and all fellow Gooners in the House.
Tomorrows score depends on which of our teams shows up. They are like a person with multiple personalities, your never sure which personality your dealing with and it can change at any time without notice. I’m hoping for the same team that turned out for the second half of the replay mid-week. Both Arsenal and Chelsea seem to have delicate psyches at the moment, but I think it will be 2-1 for The Arsenal.
No WATH. At one point last year me and Julie were doing around £1000 a month there….. I told them three months ago … “And make fcukng sure the bill comes to around £70” …. It always does when there’s just the two of us … they were starting to take the mickey – one bill for the two of us came to £110…
SYG – I think there is more than a touch of bitterness in that quote. I think Tony had ambitions of being Arsenal manager, but Uncle Bouldy has a far better chance of that.
Tony Adams:
“I saw Alan Hansen the other night on Match of the Day and he was doing a piece about Aston Villa’s young defence. It’s irrelevant. He thought, ‘I’ll pick on their ages’. I lifted a trophy at Arsenal at 21. If you are 21 and you are good enough, it doesn’t matter. He just picked a theme – ages. Next week it’ll be another theme – too old, or they have two left-footers. But if you are a coach, like Paul Lambert, and you are actually working with these guys, sometimes you have people who are sick or injured or don’t get on. There are many factors in the equation. People who haven’t done it, I have no respect for.
“I don’t respect Alan because he has never put his head on the block. For me to then turn around and do it [punditry] in the early days would have felt very hypocritical.”
Anyone else seen the TW i/v on Sky Sports??
Has he just dropped a big hint about signings….
Sister AGAG – It’s good t see that you’re well. I haven’t been in the house very much recently. However, when the news of the large storms in your area were on the TV recently, I was hoping you would be alright and that your sense of humour was still in tact.
Seems like it’s all on to Mr Dux today,
Diaby is a conundrum, his style is a missing segment of our game and he should be a regular in the first team. however his injury record means that a few games on the trot and he breaks down again. We should have bought a replacement to do the donkey work and if we believe so much in him , reserve his outings for the major games we need him in. This job could be done by Coquelin and Diaby should be used sparingly until his confidence and muscles get stronger and less likely to pull again.
Maybe so CG.
Tony Adams is in the same category as George Best and Paul Merson. Brilliant footballers (Obviously with different styles before I’m pulled up on it) but with demons. It doesn’t make for a great manager.
Malcolm Allison was a genius between 66-72; but as a coach.
He was never a manager – as he needed to be managed
110 notes for a ruby… I’d be asking the for take away for me ten relatives for that price… Only Lee eats that much going for a ruby to justify 110 quid…!
Biiter and twisted or the truth, I’d say a bit of both to be honest. He dead right about showing ambition and spreading the wages though and it’s all about being competitive eh…! That’s all any of us ask for.
spot on WATH.
ray parlour – good, at least its nice bitching 😉
Oh, and re the TW i/v, that was filmed a while ago I am sure – which suggests this deal was sorted while ago too….
Hi Syg, emma Potter & CG
Who is that re twitter?
Potter – Ak said similar about Diaby a while back about accepting his injuries and just use him in the important games. Keeping him as a real luxury player.
But how does he stay match fit between times is my question?
The re-introduction of Diaby into the first team should have shown M. Wenger what the team has been lacking, a tall physical defensive midfielder. Arteta and Wilshere are both good players, but they are not DMs. That too has been demonstrated when they have been played further forward where their true talents shine.
Arsene is not blind, obstinate yes. So, I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for us signing Capoue.
When is the revealing of Canavi due? Later this afternoon?
Should have Cg, but will it? That is the million dollar question….
Monday Esp… 😉
Signing of Cavani?
Gilbert Imbula Wanga, known as Gianelli Imbula ?
————————
Why are we looking at someone such as this? This is a template of what Wenger has become. Eboue, Song etc.
A seventeen year old from the Congo who plays European football in the lower leagues …..
We want a Wesley Sneijder, Steven Capoue, Gourcuff, Toulalan, Falcao, Ozil or a Cavani or someone similar. A marquee signing, not some young buck from the Congo who if he’s half decent will go missing for a third of the season …
ESP – You should know by now that, unless the transfer has been completed totally under the press’ radar, that it will be announced after the the close of business on the 31st. So, I’d put money on the afternoon of February 1st. The morning being required for a medical and finalising and signing his contract.
Diaby is not a DM in the true sense of the word. He’s a b2b midfielder.
Curbing enthusiasm is difficult for a young player but Coquellin can be trained to do the job and told to appreciate the importance of such role. He’s showed that he has the attributes of a good DM.
Wilshere, Arteta and Cazorla are better in advanced roles. Wilshere especially is important if we want to maintain a pressing game like we did against Swansea. I hope Wenger has seen the folly of playing Cazorla in that advanced role. The lad is so small he can hardly tackle.
My first team selection;
Szczesny
Sagna Per Verm Gibbs
Diaby/Ramsey Coquelin
Theo Wilshere/Arteta/Rosicky Cazorla/Arteta
Giroud/Pod
^^^^*trained to do the job of a DM.
Mr. Dux – I think Le Coq has the potential, but would benefit from playing along side and learning from a more experienced and disciplined DM in the same mould as our former Gilbert O’Silva.
Diaby isn’t a Box to Box midfielder when he’s laid up.
He’s costing us £250K per game to keep him. That is the same money that could pay the wages for for Wesley Sneijder and Steven Capoue or Cavani and Neven Subotic.
13 games per season with a 20% good game ratio.. 2.6 good games per season …. It’s madness.
SYG, you’ll need to tell me what you want Diaby to do. Simply complaining about him won’t solve anything. Its up to the manager to replace him, that Arsene hasn’t done so is NOT Diaby’s fault.
Some interesting comments from Rafa Benitez;
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/sugar-daddies-eroded-common-sense-benitez-3357457.html
I don’t think he will last to the end of the season, far less be re-appointed for next season. So, no Rafalution at Chelsea. Viva La Rafalution!
Who next for them Cg, there aren’t too many options left..
Suggestion is Zola in the UK..
Dux – Nor will talking him up on a blog.
He needs replacing. I want him replaced. If he were a man he would hold his hands up and walk, but on £3.6M a year he won’t.
The Daily Mirror
Wenger: “With Diaby, he has a very serious life, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t go out, and is very conscientious in training.”
Drinking, smoking???? He’s a professional fckng athlete on mega money. If he did anything different I’d expect him heavily disciplined…
Wenger: “Of course (lesser players would have given up). Honestly, what he has gone through is unbelievable.”
Really. Give up on £70,000 a week.? And throw £3.6M a year away? I don’t think so.
Heartless you are SYG lol 😀
Rico – If Abramovich is willing to give him a big enough transfer kitty and if he comes up short in Spain, I wouldn’t bet against Maureen Yoh making a return to Smirnoff Bridge.
An interesting article with Patrick Vieira comparing the Invincibles with the current Arsenal team.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2264954/Arsenal-just-good-Invicibles-according-captain-Patrick-Vieira.html
The most interesting comment – “For me they are definitely better to watch as a team but we were stronger, had physical presence and more experience.”
Mr. Dux – As much as I would love to see Abou Diaby confound his critics and become the player he is capable of being, IF he stays fit, I have to agree with most of what SYG has stated. I think Diaby has until the end of the season to proove his fitness and worth. If he can’t do that then I think he will be released by the club and given their best wishes for his future endeavours elsewhere.
If you ever get to the Emirates CG, you should go into the Arsenal museum… There is a part of the museum dedicated to “the Invincibles”… Wenger states that the ‘whole team hit their peak at the same time’ …. He was right…
It was bad management that robbed us of the double that year…. Aliadiere chosen rather than Henry in the FA Cup SF…. and we lost at home vs Chelsea in the European Cup when we were coasting at 1-0 up. That team could have won the lot.. Everything… We were brilliant.
Look at this blog and what do you see to the right and left of you?
An 18 year old and a 19 year old….
Experienced world class players will take you to the next level. Not boys with potential.
SYG – I agree, but with the club unable &/or unwilling to compete in the transfer market or in the wage packets against the sugar daddy clubs; it is far more difficult to build a team like The Invincibles. Another major shock to the world’s larger economies and that may well change. Arsenal’s parsimony may yet proove to be the right course, but I fear that most fans are not willing to wait much longer.
Syg – it didn’t stop Ian Botham 😆
Tbh – we have all pretty much said ‘if only he could stay fit’ for a few years and its clear he is struggling to do that.
We waited 8 years for RvP to have a full season fit and then what did we do….
Maybe that’s why Wenger wants to keep him 😉
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/292640138431954944
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico, good post.
Mr Dux, in case you are still around, I have a lot of sympathy for your view on Diaby.
I think the frustration with him, is partly down to Wenger.
That is, Diaby is a vital part of how the team are playing.
When he is in the team, we look a totally different proposition.
When he is out of the team our midfield lacks dynamism.
Wenger knows Diaby’s quality and that’s why he has stuck with him.
But Arsene also knows, or should do, that he is still fragile.
So not having a back-up to Abou, is not clear thinking in my view.
It would allow Diaby to be rested more and also give us cover when he picks up injuries.
Our frustrations with him stem from that.
AK – Amen Brother. That sums up my feelings exactly.
Ian Botham, Rico?
He lived in the same village as me ….. If you check ITN archives his house got busted and cannabis was found on the premises … New Years Day, I think sort of 1984 ish ……….. His address “Blow Row”. True that …
allez – rightly said. We need a cover for diaby. It’s being proving time upon time that a midfield 3 of sc19, jw10 and arteta is lightweight. We need at least one physical presence there. We all know his injury records. Won’t be surprise if after 2 weeks of the close of the window he picks one of those niggling injuries. We need a cover for him so that he can feature in the big matches and we can use whoever(capoue/diame) and rotate alongside him when we are playing the villas, norwich etc
Diame is definitely not the answer. A cheap and cheerful enforcer who lacks concentration. Shopping at Aldi again. The answer is in almost every blog. However the answer costs money. Wenger shirks at a £15-20M price tag but pisses money away more money on injured and mediocre players
Hiya Canuck, good to see ya back.
Ditto Emma…
I did mention to Rico, awhile back, the way George Graham utilised Paul Davis.
We had a very muscular and skill full midfield in the early 90’s.
But when Arsenal had a big European night or we were facing one of the title contenders, George would almost always play Davis.
Davis was easily our most technical player at the time, and probably the most intelligent, in a football sense.
I see Diaby in a similar vein.
Tea break over… 🙁
Gotta go back to work.
See all you Gooners lata…
Diaby similar to Paul Davis?
Diaby maybe good at swinging the handbag at Joey Barton but Paul Davis had by far the greater presence and upper cut…. He decked Glenn Cockerill big time – broke his jaw I think. The difference between the two is that when Paul Davis was on the field he meant it. He was a fighter. A great lad.
Paul Davis, there is a blast from the past. A great player who at the time didn’t get the credit he deserved.
Anyway I’m off to make myself breakfast and catch one or two of today’s games. I’ll drop back to the House later. Have a good afternoon fellow Gooners.
So typical emma, we really have mucked up there…
Hi Ak, thanks re the post….
Syg, I am not surprised, Sir Ian loved everything ‘naughty’ 🙂
Mr. Dux,
Your first team selection has sixteen players in it. that would almost work in Rugby Union, sadly not in Association Football.
He got knighted even though he had a criminal record for drugs….. ? strange one that….
Finally I have come to the end of all comments. Jeez….. Rico limit replies to 140 characters please.
If Diaby was allowed to appear on Stars On Ice he would cleanly cut a fecking Eskimo fishing hole.
The majority of the players we’ve been linked with are slowly being snapped up by other clubs. AW will try and grab a last minute bargain, I suppose. Be lovely to show some intent in the transfer market, wouldn’t it?
off upstairs to do 40km on bike. See you at full time
Loic Remy’s got one for ‘Arry.
No blood doping now! SYG, you know what happened to Lance Armstrong.
What do you all think of the FA’s latest wheeze to sell the naming rights to Wembley Stadium? The mobile phone company EE is in the running.
A cheap solution would be to simply remove the letter “y” from Wembley and add another “e”
Wemblee Simples!
Emma
That’s a spoiler isn’t it. Mbiwa to the barcodes. Even if it wasn’t a done deal yet, we left the driver seat for his agent. If you do a Johnny Come Lately sure enough there’s compensation to be done for walking out on business ready to be inked.
Obviously there is going to be an awful lot of disappointment as all of Arsenal’s “targets” get picked off by other clubs. Trouble is those “targets” are largely only in the imagination of desperate journos.
Didn’t take Remy long……
Just 14 mins…..
Go steady Cg….
😆 DG – Afternoon to you…..
Afternoon Madam. Tried some vid search on 8 mln wonder boy. Only EA sports FIFA console stuff. Does nice tricks if you bash button blue, yellow, blue. 😉
morning HHers, men its cold! any news? have we signed any one yet?
40km SYG…..?!!!
Uphill I trust… 😉
Canuck, is that pancakes with maple syrup?
Mbiwa to Newcastle? Hmm, that makes Arsenal look pathetic…
Unless Wenger really rates Coquelin & Frimpong, but he has to give them some exposure, otherwise they’ll never develop enough…
Morning? Goonster, yeah a central striker on £100k a week, boy named Walcott.
who JW?
But players like Mbiwa are hard to find and it’s unlike AW not to snap them up..
He can play in defence, midfield and he’s cheap….
Still, we have Squillaci….
Hey goonster…
Rico,
I think Squillaci will surprise a lot of people in the second half of the season… which season I’m not sure about.
😆 JW – I’m not sure who those people are either…..
Rico,
Come to think of it…nor am I 😀
Off now.
hahahahhaah JW that was text book stuff. take a bow son. hey mama bear, what’s new? you still think we ll sign cavani huh?
Anyone recall me ‘bigging up’ Le Fondre last summer??
If ever there is a striker in the PL who knows where the back of the net is, it’s him. He’s a sub for Reading, why not make him our sub?
We create more than Reading, Le Fondre would score more for us…..
We’d get him for well under £5 million and he needs no bedding in time…..
Have a good evening JW, take it steady….
Le Fondre has just scored again by the way, and within minutes of coming on from the bench…
le fondre huh? sounds like a parmesan cheese product to me. oh well anybody but nobody!
Dippers are 5-0, they are catching us…
Mind you, who isn’t 😉
We need a win tomorrow, big time….
Le Fondre with a second, 2-1 against Newcastle 🙂
Come on you Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr’s
we ll whup the chavs……am very positive. rafa benitez is a known wuss. he ll be sulking all match long.
le fondre scored huh? is he french maam?
No Goonie, he’s born in Stockport, England…
hmmmm how come he’s named le fondre and while am at that i remembered a chavs player named le saux too, and le tissier too! what’s that about? french named english people?? can you explain it to me? am kinda confused.
Goonster.
Afternoon Goonie,
Winning tomorrow is a must. Swamps host ManU with 6 points lead over us sitting 4th. Chavs firmly entrenchef in 3rd with 11 points gap on us. Everton & Dippers stringing together a march up the table as well.
Was in the middle of making a post when a call came in. Lost all 3 paragraphs. Cant bother doing it again.
Hi all. coyg. blah.
adamant…….can you help me out?
Calm down Stan…
You going to the West Ham game Adam?
Sounds like Diame had a good game for them this afternoon.
*entrenched
Afternoon Adam
DG10 am not really concerned. we ll make top 4 easily. its our birth right well according to wenger!
Hiya Big Will / Kev
Diaby to play tomorrow, then be on the bench for West Ham?
Brighton are not to be underestimated, remember Bradford 🙁
I am Kev as long as it isn’t snowed off.
Many British people have foreign names Goonie. My name is Adam Adamant but should be pronounced as Adam’ant. I am from a long line of French imbeciles from the sewers of Paris. I believe Le Tissier and Le Saux are from the Channel Islands.
Hkya Dutch, any transfer rumours coming outta the Zieder Zee?
Hiya AK, how re things down south?
hahahahhah adam you knuckle head, french imbeciles he says? like gerwanko? or shitvestre?
Yeah Stan, Adam wears a black beret and is often spotted riding a bicycle around Camden selling onions…
It’s in his DNA…
Goonie birth right 🙂
Only Terry controls the FA gene pool.
Mais oui Monsieur Allezkev.
It’s just the way it is goonster…
Hi Adam & Ak…
Hi Rico. 🙂
I’m good Stan. January really is a crap month.
Roll on the Spring.
hahhhahahaah i just pictures adam like frank spencer. hahahahah berret wearing creep.
Mr Dux, in case you are still around, I have a lot of sympathy for your view on Diaby.
I think the frustration with him, is partly down to Wenger.
That is, Diaby is a vital part of how the team are playing.
When he is in the team, we look a totally different proposition.
When he is out of the team our midfield lacks dynamism.
Wenger knows Diaby’s quality and that’s why he has stuck with him.
But Arsene also knows, or should do, that he is still fragile.
So not having a back-up to Abou, is not clear thinking in my view.
It would allow Diaby to be rested more and also give us cover when he picks up injuries.
Our frustrations with him stem from that.
—
Surely Wenger should bear the brunt of our frustrations, for not replacing him, not Diaby.
Evening all….SSN talking about your boy Le Fondle Rico.
Well, thank you Stan, you silver-tongued, full-lipped Dutchie.
Adam pass me the garlic goat cheese and some stick bread.
Got a mate’s surprise 40th in a pub tonight…..there’s only so much orange & soda a man can drink! 🙁
Stan, I can swear by Adams onions, they are the best onions this side of Dalston…
Hiya Rico.
Roll on the 31st, it’s all so effin boring and predictable…
Sorry DG, I am busy eating chips with mayonnaise. 🙂
full lipped??? what in the world? i dont look like dirk kuyt mind you? am a blonde adonis i tells ya!
Which 1970’s British comedy series’s theme tune spelt it’s title out in Morse code?
I saw that pic of you Stan. You blonde bombshell.
Your first team selection has sixteen players in it. that would almost work in Rugby Union, sadly not in Association Football.
—
Look again, apart from the first names in each position, the rest are options or substitutes
Lee, was that Some Mothers?
Hi Will…
I’m off shortly, got some packing to be doing 🙂
Inspector Morse Lee?
You off then Rico?
Very sharp Dutch. Yes Adam, Some Mothers.
what photograph adam? that wasnt me, that was DG10! he’s a dutch rabbi from rotterdam(sewer city)!
Not until Monday Adam but tomorrow it’s a family day and then first thing Monday I am a gonner, but always a gooner 😉
As long as it doesn’t snow….
Adam’ant that’s a Belgian treater we only nicked the recipe. 😉
Stan. I saw you on Blondadonis.com. I looked under the heading of Great Netherlands Nailers and there you were.
hahahahahhaha great netherlands nailers? hhahahahah adam you plonker. i just spilled milk all over my sofa. am having a late breakfast you twit. hahahahaahahahaha, netherlands nailers he says.
I has some at Schipol DG. Very tasty.
NN it is then…..
Haha Goonie still have my mushroom hooded so rabbi I don’t qualify.
well adam saw a dutch dude…..so am guessing you are it! am on no great netherlands nailers website, that’s for sure. am a one man nailing machine! i need no help. am a nailing god!
Off for dinner. Later….
Goonie I’m Libido God so there’s no need to advertise my qualities.
I swear I saw you Stan. You were listed as Goonster Van Der Pout, the animal of Arnhem.
hmmmmmm spoken like a real dutch stallione! i ll bet all these english twats must be jealous of us. especially WATH!
Adam if you really wanna taste the original chips Belgium is a satisfactory place. Here in Holland you mostly get compressed potato flower shapes.
Off for a bit. See ya peeps Lata.
*flour
hahahhahahah adam you ll be the death of me! van der pout??? hahhahahhahah, i love it here. HH forever baby.
Goonie Long John Holmes got nothing on us. Legendary? These Britons haven’t got a clue what being at the top of the food chain involves.
All in good fun and affection Stan. We are looking forward to meeting you when you visit London. You too DG.
Off for dinner. Lata guys.
see ya adam…….
Goonie its the HH insider lingo that does it for me. Rocking the boat eloquently.
Bye Adam you Paris clochard. 😉
Off now.
man that’s some long dinner rico………what are you having? all the trees in reading? christ give me strength!
Hello all….
I had to cook, eat and then wash up goonster, that all takes time 🙁
about time…….took you long enough, i ll bet reading is a wilderness now. all them lush green landscapes gone! all cause rico gor hungry! good thing you dont eat meat……..WATH ll probably be extinct now!
See you Dg, have a great night…..
yeah so……i do that too. it only takes me about 3 minutes!
goonster – i don’t even live in Reading 🙂
huh? so where do you live? please don’t say surrey?
Micro dinner then eh goonie?? 😉
I never say ‘sorry’ goonie 😉
micro dinner??? i dont think so…….
takeaway then goonie, 3 mins…. 🙂
nah just some meaty stuff…..and some beers. i don’t call that takeaway.
Fairy snuff goonie 🙂
hahahaahh maam you re on form today…….anyways what did the totts play? did van crap score again? grrrrrrrrrrr
They play each other tomorrow goonie, at 4pm….
I’m off for the day folks, catch you tomorrow…
Have a good one all, and stay safe….
Nighty Night…
night rico……am waiting for my pizza.
Marseille are closing in on Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko, L’Equipe has revealed.
Sissoko, 23, who has less than six months left on his deal at Stade Municipal, has been linked with a January move to English Premier League, but he has yet to receive an official bid from England.
Meanwhile, Marseille have come up with a concrete offer and already agreed a deal with the player’s representatives.
It is now up to coach Elie Baup to persuade his former player that a move to Stade Velodrome would be beneficial for his career.
Marseille still need to agree on a transfer fee with Toulouse, with OM not prepared to pay more than €3 million.
Sissoko appears to be waiting for English clubs to step up their interest, but everything suggests that he will ultimately accept the offer from Marseille.
The talented midfielder has so far made 163 Ligue 1 appearances for le Tefece and scored 20 goals.
Another we should be after then seems to be off elsewhere Dg…
Gone now for the night……
Diaby and rvp are in the same boat. Both great players but injury proned and slow recovery time. Everytime they had a run of games and hit form they get injured. Rvp finally had a good run from 2011. However evrytime someone tackles him, the manager, team and fans hold their collective breath. Ferguson was so worried with the ball hitting his head that he accused the oppossition player of trying to kill rvp, more like, without rvp mu season would be over!
Hopefully, all fingers crossed, Diaby remain uninjured, he will be phenominal. But, this is an unlikely scenario because he plays in the centre where tackles flies in thick and fast. We need a backup, Coq maybe the one. But, a mobile DM would really enhance the team.
Morning all.
Morning all..
One of the two is a great player Charlie 😉
New Post up