One done, one to come and a third possible…? Exciting eh….

Morning all.

So then, two players are reported to be heading over to Arsenal today for medicals before signing their contract. Lucas Pérez is one, Shkodran Mustafi the other.

Reasons to be cheerful? Well, perhaps with Perez yes because according to reports, Everton were after him because their new chief scout Steve Walsh, the man responsible for spotting Mahrez and Kante, told them to. So, as much as John Cross likes to tell anyone who reads The Mirror, that Arsenal deemed Perez to be not good enough back in July, perhaps he is. Everton didn’t get their man because the club aren’t involved in the Champions League apparently, whereas Arsenal are. I say involved as we seldom really compete do we?

It’s easy to quote stats and turn them into facts whenever it suits ones agenda but until either or both play for Arsenal, it’s best to keep an open mind. Mustafi, if he signs, might just drop into defence and play like he’s been in the Premier League for years, Perez might start banging in the goals for fun too, especially if Mesut Ozil has another season like last.

There’s still time to get Griezmann………

Back to reality, the Champions League draw took place last night and out of the pot for us came PSG, Basel and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. The latter of the clubs is Mohammed Eleneny’s old team. That competition kicks off on Tuesday September 13th with a trip to France where PSG will be waiting.

Before then though it’s Watford away tomorrow afternoon then it’s the first on many boring international breaks during the season ahead. And of course, even if the two above mentioned players do sign up today and pass their medicals, neither will be eligible to play tomorrow as it’s too late.

But that’s so typical of Arsenal isn’t it, too many things are done too late. We needed defensive reinforcements long before now, we haven’t had a proper out and out winger since goodness knows how long and we’ve been crying out for a striker since RvP left and had all this been rectified last summer, we may just have won the league. I’m not trying to dump all the blame on Ollie because it’s not his fault. He chipped in with many goals but who was there as an alternative or better/different option during his barren spell? No-one, not even Sanogo!

Perhaps that’s why the media link us to so many players, usually without any substance whatsoever to their story which is why there’s little point in thinking we really are hoping to sign James Rodriguez but wouldn’t it be great if we did?

Arsene has been talking to the media this morning, he’s 99.99% sure at least one player will be signed before the transfer window closes and certainly before deadline day. But with that glint in his eye and his lips moving, who knows whether he’s telling us the truth…

Have a good Friday guys……

159 thoughts on “One done, one to come and a third possible…? Exciting eh….

  1. Malaysian gunner says:

    Star winning asap is the next step. The hornets wont be a pushover and could prove to be
    a banana skin.

  2. kelsey says:

    Easy to be wise after the event but at this moment of time we have spent about 85 million but have many players released and a massive saving on wages.

    The TV money pays for all of it but we were never ever going to get involved with 50/60 million players as our needs were for at least two or three players so I believe we looked at the second tier price wise and that was an instruction.

    That we could have bought these 50/60 million players last Summer at a much lower cost is another debate but that’s history now.

    I still think Wenger is reluctant to really splash th cash he has got at his disposal but let’s see how the new players adapt.

    We have the same squad travelling to Watford AW said minus Ramsey.

  3. Tsgh says:

    Rico am I allowed to copy and paste gifts given by agents,clubs and players to referees?
    Interesting arsenal feature next to zilch I guess reason we get no penalties.
    UEFA rules says it’s allowed but it has to be under 200 euros… per item…

  4. allezkev says:

    Well ‘very busy’ could mean anything Rico, could mean players going out – on loan..?

    Chambers?
    Willock?
    Akpom?
    Sanogo?
    Debuchy?

  5. kelsey says:

    http://www.footmercato.net/premier-league/transferts/arsenal-l-ahurissante-gestation-du-transfert-de-lucas-perez_185132

    For those who speak French – basically an article saying that our scouts deemed “Lucas Perez” not good enough for our club in the past months. As a result – he is seen as a panic buy from AW.

    So maybe Cross was telling the truth.
    .
    I really don’t know the market price anymore.if he turns out to be a beast of a players he’s cheap.Stones is a kid and cost nearly 50 million.

  6. allezkev says:

    Ginge, if Super Parasite Mendez is involved, then I guess we can pretty much forget Rodriguez…

    I mean Mendez earned what £20m from Pogba alone, so being the greedy cnut that he is, is that enough and how much would he expect to rip off Arsenal if we were actually interested in Jamie R..?

    I can’t see it happening myself…

  7. kelsey says:

    I think he is still buying. kroenke phobned him up and told him ffs spend or you are fired (then I woke up)

    I really think one more player is comng in but no denying he is trying to offload Debuchy and Gibbs.i think Chambers is a done loan deal to one of three clubs.

  8. allezkev says:

    Ginge, I think that giving a referee a ‘gift’ is, in any other language, a bribe, but UEFA officials are all bent, so everyone else has their snout in the trough, why not the referees…

    The CL is a fcuking joke mate, it’s as bent as a u bend…

  9. Tsgh says:

    Injunction was granted to close footie leaks recently…Gestifude and UEFA were applicants…
    One would have thought that if agents are getting £5m plus on deals whilst clubs owed taxes to national treasuries then it would be in the best interest for football fans to be made aware of it…
    Then again maybe fans are not bothered

  10. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning rico, House.

    Better late than never if these go through. Hats off to Wenger if we finally get Mustafi, yes it should have been earlier, but he seems to have been our first choice. If he settles with Koscielny, and we have Gabriel and Holding in reserve, we finally have CB strength.

  11. scottfromoz says:

    Better late than never..
    We can hardly whinge on making late signings, as a day or two back, we were all begging for some, so let’s just be grateful they’ve arrived.
    That is, of course, assuming they’re done deals 🙂
    Morning all.

  12. rico says:

    Ditto, I reckon Henry will learn a lot from Martinez. Good for his career too as he readies himself to take over from AW… 😉

  13. andrewh1313 says:

    I wonder if ‘2018-19 season’ means CL 2018-19 so 4 teams from 2017-18 Premier season? So this being the last year of 3 plus a play-off. Or does it mean 2018-19 Premier season will have 4 entrants the following year?

  14. andrewh1313 says:

    Hope this doesn’t become a problem

    “Mustafi picked up a muscle problem before pre-season, triggered it again when returning to training, and was then on a slower road to starting the season”.

    He did come on as a Sub last week so hopefully fully fit now.

  15. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Afternoon to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – “…So, as much as John Cross likes to tell anyone who reads The Mirror, that Arsenal deemed Perez to be not good enough back in July, perhaps he is…” i don’t think Arsenal rejected Perez earlier in the TW. He was just a lower priority than some of our other targets. The following article gives one fairly logical take on the process;

    Lucas Perez & Shkodran Mustafi – Panic Buys or Brilliant Purchases?

    https://shewore.com/2016/08/26/lucas-perez-shkodran-mustafi-panic-buys-or-brilliant-purchases/

  16. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Some of the recent Arsene quotes that I read seemed to indicate that he expected the transfer market to be very busy for the next five or six days, but he didn’t seem to include Arsenal in that. I think if Mustafi and Perez both complete successfully that will be it for Arsene and Arsenal till January. Although I imagine we may/will see a few more outgoings, such as Calum Chambers on loan.

  17. Steven says:

    Draxler will be on his way from what I’ve heard! Last minute deadline with someone going on loan…. not sure whom…

  18. rico says:

    Afternoon CG. Guillem Balague has said the stuff about Arsenal not rating Perez is rubbish too. He suggests we wanted Lacazette but refused to get involved in Lyon’s games…

    Breaking new on SS’s – Mustafi is heading to London for his medical today…

  19. rico says:

    Andrew, our medical staff wouldn’t pass his fit if he has an injury… Err, on the other hand…..

    CG, I heard him speak and all he said was it will be busy over the next few days and when talking about any potential Arsenal signings he said he hoped ‘they’ would be in before deadline day.

    He may sign more than Perez and Mustafi, then again he may not… Who knows apart from him but I hoping there’s a surprise yet….

    Then he’s just got to try something new on the pitch…..

  20. Dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, mixed emotions yesterday, but on reflection, one would have to say, we are going in the right direction, Mustafi “a proper German centre back”, Xhaka “a proper holding midfielder”, and a strong Steve Walsh recommendation, who if were led to believe, “could” be a Vardy type player, is it enough Probably not, but as I say, the right direction.

    Read a few interesting comments that AW has not solely bought Perez as a striker but more of a utility player, having played on the R.W all he,s career, till last season, where he was played as a Forward. One would wonder, what plans Wenger has for him.

  21. allezkev says:

    And so it seems to be heading towards some kind of satisfactory conclusion after all the media shit and usual Arsenal procrastination.
    Gotta beat Watford now to raise spirits further for the Soton game…

    The Draxler rumours are interesting, I see that as more likely than Rodriguez, considering that Wenger went for him in the past. Might be a bit late in the day for this window though, maybe one for January?

  22. rico says:

    Right back maybe Dublin… lol

    Guillem Balague reckons he’ll be good for us, quick he says and a good finisher. His words were something like, if he can do as well as he did for his current club, then in a team like Arsenal, he’ll be so much better…

  23. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – “…Wenger, though, also said that he did not expect Arsenal to be involved in the deadline day rush for players. Despite all the pressure to sign players, Wenger actually now faces going into the season with a squad that he might well consider too big…” Excerpt from the following article;

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/26/arsenal-transfer-news-shkodran-mustafi-and-lucas-perez-deals-99/

    However, I’m with you. I hope wily old Arsene has a surprise like Draxler up his sleeve. I’m not holding my breath though.

  24. Dublingunner says:

    Lets hope so Rico, I do like the fact that Steve Walsh has had some input, lets hope he works he,s magic as he did with Vardy, Kante, Mahrez,etc.
    I suppose thats what they brought him in for.
    Are we being greedy hoping for a last minute “biggie”
    The fact has he has not ruled Anything out, Who knows…

  25. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.

    A warm and sunny day down south after shocking thunder storm last night.
    Asano has joined Stuttgart on season loan and with the exception of Debucy and Sanogo I hope there are no more leaving.

  26. rico says:

    I’m not holding my breath either CG, but we all know AW fibs a lot…

    Me too Dublin, thank goodness for CL football or Everton may have got him…

    Afternoon Rick, any news on Gnabry?

  27. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico, Rico, Rico – Arsene doesn’t fib a lot, he just leaves things open to interpretation or misinterpretation, as the case may be. He’d make a good politician, that is if there is such a thing as a good politician.

  28. Rick says:

    No one is talking about Serge Rico .When I asked about him I was told
    Arsene said of him it is important for him and the club that he remains with us and I want him to stay.
    After last seasons loan I would think Serge should think long and hard before going on another one.

  29. Dublingunner says:

    Ye I do remember questioning you Rico, on whether champions league would make any difference, or lack of it, to us going forward.
    my belief at the time was more to do with putting more pressure on Wenger if we didnt make C.L football,

    C.G the mans a contradiction, reading your link, He says, “It looks like it will be frenetic for me in the last three days”, a few lines later it says Wenger, though, also said that he did not expect Arsenal to be involved in the deadline day rush for players,

    Still as Micko said yesterday, I too can envision that Tumbleweed scenario on deadline day, all be it, AW has softened the blow a bit.

  30. Rick says:

    Rico I should have added Serge was given extra time off after playing in the Olympics
    I gather Tomas Rosicky is traning with the first team

  31. Meerkat says:

    I don’t know about a good politician, but I reckon he’d be an excellent candidate for Blatters job at FIFA.

  32. rico says:

    Thanks Rick, good as I too hope is stays. Like you say, I doubt he want another loan, especially after Pulis ruined his confidence. He had a good Olympics by all accounts so if he continues his good form, Walcott and OC should be concerned…

  33. Kel says:

    Spanish media say perez has passed his medical then… he may not be what we wanted, but his stats are pretty good for the price tbh.

  34. rico says:

    3 PM announcement I read Kel… lol

    Dublin, it’s possibly a bit of both really…

    Afternoon Adam, I can barely contain myself…

  35. Canadian Gooner says:

    Dublin and Rico – Yes, hopefully it will be frenetic for Arsene in the next three days. There should be two medicals (Mustafi & Perez) to conduct, their personal contracts to conclude and get signed, transfer contracts with their respective clubs to finalize and sign and finally their player registrations to complete and file with the FA. A lot of work to be done whether they sign any other players or not.

    Well the house is just cooling down to a comfortable level. So, I’m closing all the windows and am off to bed before it gets to warm again to sleep. Have a great day everyone and hopefully we start the week with a win under our belts and two players on our club roster.

    Keep the Faith!

  36. Canadian Gooner says:

    Whoops, I nearly forgot this. Serge’s performance at the Olympics just goes to show what a poor judge of players Tony ‘Clueless’ Pubis is. I hope Arsene and Arsenal do no further loans of our young players to that moronic Neanderthal.

  37. kelsey says:

    My man inside told me yesterday that the Arsenal team were working through the weekend and Bank Holiday to get the two mentioned but the one they really want is Draxler not Rodriguez. The point is that they want a class flank player, so where does that leave Gnabry or even Walcott.

  38. Adam says:

    Rico. Yes, in a way. I had a Bolly Bellini cocktail with Prosecco and raspberries (I think). Mrs Adam had a Pimms and the food was exceptional too. Wished you were there. 🙂

  39. obi says:

    Mustafi is a great player and barring any injuries a WC in a year or two. Perez is good enough for Arsenal especially given that he would have better players around him – he’s better than Theo. Even though yesterday I said if given a choice am going for Andre Silva at Porto; but imho, for those who wanted Mahrez, Perez is better, stronger, works harder and more versatile – plays the wing and CF- than Maherez (overrated). I will love Rodriquez at arsenal; Rodriquez and Ozil together? Yes please! We seem to forget that Ozil won the World Cup playing entire tournament on the wing because of injuries and still lead the team in assists. Also check out Rodriduez not at the club level but when he plays for Columbia. He’s not exactly a #10, he hugs the lines and constantly cuts into the hole. His vision is exceptional and unlike Ozil will shoot. If AW get both Mustafi and Rodgriuez to add to Xhaka thats really good business. Btw, I take Snordgrass too, we need hard workers – am just saying #kev.

  40. kelsey says:

    Perez is .a bit like a slightly more aggressive version of Walcott but again a small player that will get dispossessed but let’s hope he can add real fire power to the team.You Tube can be misleading.

  41. Joaquim Moreira says:

    West Ham bought a good player from Switzerland
    Barbosa in way out to Inter by 25 millions. How much from Perez?

  42. Kel says:

    I just hope we get the past tomorrow , all this enthusiasm atm about getting a few players that we should have got a month ago. It Will soon dissappear if we are sitting 8pts behind come 5pm tomorrow.

    Let’s hope walnut gets his arse in gear now that another striker is coming inn, do the business theo or its the bench son.

    Kelsey don’t be teasing us with inside knowledge etc please lol I can’t take it.. 😉

  43. Bradster says:

    I haven’t seen either much. Barely noticed Mustafi at Valencia and looked quite average as a team in Europa. Thought they were very lucky in some games.
    But he’s an international so there must be something there to pick.
    Perez I’ve not noticed at all but Deportivo we’re pretty close to battling relegation so perhaps with a better supply he can be prolific.

  44. rico says:

    Thanks Kel, I thought as much…

    I was actually hoping we’d get Toprak – he’s meant to be a bit of a beast, an old fashioned defender as he’s described. We could do with a bit of that in defence…

  45. Kel says:

    Just had a look at him Toprak… decent looking.. I’ve never heard of him tbh,and I don’t know much about mustafi either… who is the better?

  46. rico says:

    No idea Kel. Lol

    Just Toprak is a lot taller and supposedly a bit of a beast. Saying that, Mustafi is meant to have a good spring in his legs… Hard to judge either of our potent entail new signings as haven’t seen them play….

    Just hope Arsene Wenger has…. 😉

  47. kelsey says:

    Talksport on now.
    Arsenal should give up their CL spot as they never get further than last 16 and give the spot to United.

    That Durham loves stirring it up but the other git from yorkshire is right what is actually going on at our club,no one can fathom it out.

    Rico he looks very short for 6 foot. I could look down on him. Walcott mark 2 😉

  48. rico says:

    Can’t stand Durham Kelsey, and never listen to talksport either. Such hatred towards Arsenal…

    There could never be a Walcott Mark 2 surely…..

  49. Kel says:

    I used to listen to that crap… absolutely never again it’s so anti Arsenal….

    Np Kelsey… age before beauty 😉 lol

  50. Rick says:

    Tonights U23 Team Macey,Niles,Graca Bielik Pileas Bennacer Sheaf Jeff Dragomir Willock Akpom
    Liverpool have Lucas playing and 2 other first team players
    See you later

  51. kelsey says:

    Takuma Asano will join German side VfB Stuttgart on loan for the season.

    The 21-year-old signed for Arsenal in July, before travelling to Brazil to represent Japan at Rio 2016 where he scored two goals in three games.

  52. Rick says:

    Surprised but very pleased Rico When was the last time he started a game in his Fav position
    Are you watching its about to start on the player.

  53. rico says:

    The under 23’s zip the ball around the pitch better than the first team… 😉

    No end product though which sounds familiar…..

    Catch up tomorrow guys, night all..

  54. Le Coq Monster says:

    Listen guys and girl !………………the only thing Wenger has up his sleeve is a well muscled arm from masturbating over his bank balance !.

    Nearly £100M spent and I have to say I`m not break dancing on the ceiling !…………..£100m on one player who would have made the difference would have been better, shame Suarez wasn`t still at the Bindippers as I would have given them the extra pound over the £100M to get him !.

    Anyone like a conspiracy theory ?…………….what does your insider say to this Kelsey ?

    http://www.footballinsider247.com/reliable-journalist-wenger-wanted-antoine-griezmann-considered-business-risk/

    If true it could only come from the bastard known as…………………….Kroenke !………..if I had a spitoon next to me I would spit in it !…………..I haven`t, so I spat on a photo of the mother in laws Fanny !…………calm down it`s her pet cat !

    Vickyyyyyy, how you doing ?. 😀

  55. BT62 Gooner says:

    Howdy Scott, do you think there are more signings on the way, assuming the other two are done and dusted?

  56. scottfromoz says:

    BT, I honestly wouldn’t have a clue, mate.
    I doubt Wenger knows lol.
    Draxler or James would just be the icing on the cake but I wouldn’t hold my breath, and nor could I say I’d be overly disappointed as I think we’ve done very well.
    Your thoughts?

  57. Rick says:

    U 23 lost 3-1
    Poor team display . As I said 48hrs ago at this level Pileas, Graca and Dragomir are out of their depth and Bielik’s form is very poor.

    Gatting, Niles is not a full back, he is a winger, Ben Sheaf is not a right back or a right winger he is a holding mid fielder and why the hell have we allowed Plegi, O’conner and Tarif Moore to go on loan when we have no one to replace them.
    I think you should consider your position you are letting some very talented footballers down

  58. BT62 Gooner says:

    Agree with you Rick, piss poor effort all round, Bielik at the heart of defence was ….simply scary..

  59. VCC says:

    I’m good cocky. I’ve traced you at long last.

    Rico. Used to blog on AA. Until I got my knuckles wrapped for audaciously criticising Mr.Wenger by a certain big ( clue) guy.

    Then went onto Bergkampesque…….ended with the same treatment. So here I am. Thanks for the welcome. ??

  60. VCC says:

    Hey Cockie, we need to get stretch over here. Seems like a breath of fresh air. “Where it’s ok to disagree”

    Our latest acquisitions would be OK rating in my book. Not SQ.

    Maybe the whisperings of either Draxler/Isco/Griesman/Rodrequez will come off early next week. ???

  61. BT62 Gooner says:

    Scott, we’ve seem to have filled the positions that required attention, can’t say much about Mustafi seen him on the pitch for Germany in a match,but did not pay that much attention to him, think he had come on as a sub. As for Lucas don’t think i’ve ever seen him play or heard of him for that matter,looks good on YouTube…i do like a leftie….lol…

    I’ll wait to see them in action for the team and take it from there, as for Draxler…. yes please..but can’t see it happening…..

  62. scottfromoz says:

    Seems we all wind up here for various reason.
    I was kicked from Le Grove for having the temerity to defend Wenger….lover all abuse and swearing was the given reason, after I was called every name under the sun, and not swearing at all.
    It only took an hour or so-surely a record of sorts 🙂 🙂

  63. scottfromoz says:

    BT, any German national player must have something, so I’ll hang my hat on that.
    As far as Perez is concerned, I’ve seen one left foot, long range hit.
    As long as Wenger doesn’t knock that out of him, could be a sneaky one.
    Draxler v James.
    Draxler, for mine.
    He’s one I tagged 3-4 years ago here as a ripper in the making, and he’s still young, but truly a more complete player now, obviously.
    I have not actually seen that much of James-I can’t stand watching Real-but that German mindset is a huge plus.

  64. BT62 Gooner says:

    Hi VCC, have dropped in on the above mentioned blogs on occasions,in fact i was reading through Bergkampesque the other day and thought…NAH…

    Welcome..

  65. BT62 Gooner says:

    Seen James in the World Cup, talented footballer for sure, haven’t seen much of him at Madrid or Madrid for that…..always thought Draxler could be very special…

    Enjoy your day Scott…

    Big 3pts tomorrow…

  66. VCC says:

    Cheers BT62 Gooner. Bergkampesque used to be great when it first started with plenty of bloggers with many diverse views.

    Unfortunately, if you disagreed with the master, you would suffer his wrath. Now become a lonely place.

  67. Le Coq Monster says:

    No chance of any of them Vics, we are done and dusted !………….well, unless Ornstein says other !.

    Stretch on here !!!…………he has a Wenger blow up doll, a Wenger condom, a Wenger mask, a Wenger puffa jacket, a Wenger duvet cover, a Wenger shrine, a Wenger tattoo, lives at 2004 Wenger street, Wengershire………………………………………………yes ! your right, he`d love it on here ! hahahaha

  68. Micko says:

    C’mon rico, what’s ya secret, they’re throwing themselves at ya this transfer window lol.

    Would be great if you could put up one of your poll’s in the morning (No not one of those Le Coq, you dirty ole man) just to get an idea how many Gooners think we will be Champions in May, I know we’re only 2 games in but I don’t know anyone that thinks we can win the league this season !

  69. Le Coq Monster says:

    2 games in Micko !………………………..I never thought we would win the league before the TW and hold on a sec` and let me look in my crystal ball…………………………………….sec` later…………………….nope !, we aint ever going to win it with Kroenke !. 😀

    I loved it when people were making jokes about Manshafter and Chavs not being in the CL draw yesterday……………it will come back to bite their Arses when one of them win the EPL and we cant get past the last 16 of the CL !…………………..always thought our best chance last year and this year would have been to be out of the CL …………………..I mean, who needs the money if you dont spend it all ?…………and having been told for years that you need to have CL to attract the best players, it all turned out ot be bollox as the above two teams still attract the best not being in the CL !………how can that be ?………….£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$………….hahaha

  70. Wath says:

    Micko are you using my name in slander yet again you shit head………………

    Welcome VCC, disagree all you want mate you’ll get a fair crack of the whip with a normally consistent argument if someone disagrees although please ignore Scott from Oz as he’s always wrong and know’s diddly squat about football…! then again he is down under so obviously everything is upside down for the poor lad…!

  71. BT62 Gooner says:

    Micko, that’s my proxy screamer you hear mate, haven’t the enthusiasm to FCUKIN SCREAM ANYMORE!!!!

  72. Wath says:

    VCC you’ll get used to Micko he props up the bar in his local and any other bar that will have him 24/7… He’s a good lad though despite us having to have a whip round for his digs in the local dog pound…!

  73. Micko says:

    Wath, lucky for you I ain’t 10 years younger or you’d be sharing breakfast with the legendary Abu Diaby in the local hospital tomorrow morning lol !

    Nite Gooners, keep it real.

  74. potter says:

    Kodi works on android doesn’t it. Where I am in the wilds of East Anglia phone performance is poor so I don’t think it would be good for me. When we reach the 20th century here I will consider it ,. My son has it and uses it all the time and is pleased with it.

  75. allezkev says:

    Rick, I agree, the Academy isn’t in a good place, not sure why Jonker isn’t being more proactive as far as influencing recruitment and making changes to the coaching staff if they fail to come up to scratch…

    Ljungberg seems to be having a reasonable time so far, not so Gatting…

    Rick, didn’t a couple of the Dutch coaches leave a few months back.
    Any idea why?

  76. allezkev says:

    Not sure anyone in the Academy can be blamed for playing Bielik at centre-back as I imagine that Wenger has insisted on the change…

    Rick, the only time I saw Bielik play midfield was against Sheffield Wednesday last season in the League Cup and I think he did OK…

    Personally I think using him in the back-four is a serious waste of his talent…

  77. allezkev says:

    Cheers BT, yeah, that’s the one, I think Van Loon is still with us and there was a Dutch goalkeeping coach awhile back, not sure if he’s still with us?

  78. Wath says:

    Me nasty, never…. now go polish your ball nchain…!

    BT, yes made have Kodi, works really well but i have decent internet which is essential..!

  79. kelsey says:

    Morning

    I take the credit getting VCC over here, he is a good friend.;)

    Blogs change over the years, ACLF is the one that I read a lot and Yogi writes good posts but they were all AKB’s a couple of years ago and now they critisize as much as those on le Grove.

    I was a founder member of AA but left for the same reason as VCC.Some people think they have to be biased in their moderating, usually those who don’t have much other purpose in life.

    It’s good if you can get a balance of opinion but there is a distinct drift in blogs wth what appears the direction the club is going, that leads to friction and sometimes more, when blogging should be enjoyable.

    I think many people mix opinon with facts and it gets confusing.others like heat maps andd endless stats, I prefer to see what my eyes show me.

    Some bloggers think they are Football managers and have a superior knowledge to others on a particular blog which I fiind very off putting.

    At least on here I often get a response and people are genaerally courteous, it’s more of a closed shop on many other blogs and one is made to feel like an outsider.

    Anyway same squad today as last eek bar Ramsey.I don’t like Le Coc and Granit together as they ill invariable pick up a lot of bookings if not worse.AW needs to sort that out.

    I think that having checked we did look thoroughly at Perez in July (not John Cross having a sly dig) and it is surprising we have come back for him,a player bought by Deportivo for 2 million 12 months ago.Panic buy or a stroke of genius,we will see.

    Mustafi is another strange one and forgetting the conspiracy theories he has had quite a few injuries curtailed his appearence in the W C yet not one other club came in for him, that at least we have been told, but again I hope he does well.

    I still think either Draxler or Rodriguez may well join us and I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of our high wage earners leave.That maybe the condition knowing Wenger.

    Chambers is going on loan with three mid table PL clubs interested and wish hm well.if he gets good enough to come back we will see.

    Deep down we have a lifelong love of Arsenal and it’s always been a helter skelter ride and most probably alwals will be.

    In conclusion it’s pretty obvious transfer dealings are really complicated these days with too many people wanting a slce of the cake and that’s why so many deals fall through.Having said that my belief is that AW was never going to spend 5o or 60 million on a player this window.

  80. VCC says:

    Morning kelsey. I see your tupee is holding up well 😉

    It will be interesting if our back line can handle the strength of Deeney today. We struggle against physicality. I hope Mustafa is strong and has a pair. He will need it/them to survive in the premiership.

    I have been welcomed here on Highbury House, lets hope its a long and enjoyable stay.

    Must try and get stretch over here, everybody would love his humour.

    Latterz

  81. potter says:

    ‘Giroud a little short’? Just put him in my fantasy team , figured he was good for a comeback goal ,still could be a Wenger bluff.( poker player that he is ). Ha Ha.

  82. potter says:

    BT having words with my son over that, if I get it on the laptop then my wife can keep the movies on sky. Streaming here has never really been successful keeps freezing although speedtests always suggest that all is well. I reckon it’s the phone lines here which are like two baked bean tins and a bit of string.One day Norfolk will get remembered and they might lay some new cables . Then again while they have the holes dug they could lay in some gas pipes as well , afterall it only comes ashore 6 miles away at Bacton.

  83. BT62 Gooner says:

    Potter, if you have any problems or questions regarding Kodi,you have my details, feel free to get in touch if you think i can help.

  84. Wavy says:

    Has nobody else thought that these impending signings are a direct result of the toxic remarks made by the fans after the first two games? Has Wenger not responded to every critical blog by ‘spending some cash’. Far from wanting these two players they have become a pawn in his popularity stakes.
    Yesterday’s blog was full of optimism and hope, I mean that’s a great turn around from the previous six weeks of questions, demands and suggestions of his terminal decline and disappearance at the end of the season!
    The two players he’s bought are, probably by no means poor squad members but as many have said, they are not out of the top drawer either. However, the addition of these two will, to a certain extent, placate the fans’ feelings of failure and dismissal of the belief that new players are/were essential. Left to Wenger, “project youth” would have provided sufficient cover, to get by this season!
    Still it is what it is. He has answered his critics, buy two players, he’s probably silenced the fans and more than likely averted the wrath of the owner. Brand Arsenal is still, just, intact! Ever onward!

    Morning all. Damp and overcast here, again!

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