Daily Bits and Bobs

Our squad is solid! Another move for Suarez and Gustavo rejects us…..

Posted on by rico

Morning all,

Couple of snippets from the newspapers:

Luiz Gustavo has declined an offer to play for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League, he’s chosen to remain in Germany. So be it I guess. Wonder is Arsene Wenger has a plan to look elsewhere….. That’s any ones guess..

Luis Suarez rumbles on and on and on, in fact longer than a Duracell battery. The Telegraph suggest we are ready to up offer to just under £50 million as other reports suggest he’s set for ‘top talks’ with Brenda…..

Onto Tsgh post…

Since the ‘supermarket dash’ on 31st August 2011, both football fans and media alike have come to associate and expect Arsene Wenger and Arsenal to complete transfers on the final day of the transfer window.

Considering Podolski was signed and announced on the 30th of April last year and our final transfer last summer was completed on the 7th of August most fans were of the expectation that most of the promised big summer signings will be involved in the Far East tour this time round.

Being a doubting Thomas, I became very sceptical when Ivan Gazidis informed the listening audience earlier in the summer that we had not been able to complete any signings as a result of our targets being from clubs who had no managers in office yet. My suspicion was that this ‘smooth talker’ was expecting fans to fall for the ’spin’ that a chairman was unwilling to sell but a newly appointed manager would approve a marquee signing to be sold to us. I bet Ivan practiced that line in front of the mirror a few times and he even convinced himself with it as well.

Taking in consideration players who have moved this summer, my biggest worry is that Arsene allowed a player such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Dortmond without us showing any interest at all. Was it because Arsene has given up on the French market?

Surely not considering he inquired about Grenier and signed a freebie from Lique 2. Maybe Arsene rates Ligue 2 higher than Ligue 1 now.

Additionally, I would have thought Negredo would have been a very good business for the club but I guess the club hierarchy did not consider him marquee enough.

Even as things stand I strongly believe it’s never too late and I still believe there are better players available on the market who can make us stronger and help us challenge for trophies this season.

Analysing the list of players that the club submitted for the 25-man list A for our Champions League qualifier I was even more concerned to note that the list comprised 18 and 16 year olds. Don’t get me wrong I have strong believe in the potential of Zelalem and Serge but the key word is potential.

List A

Wojciech Szczęsny*, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Tomáš Rosický, Mikel Arteta, Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott*, Aaron Ramsey*, Nacho Monreal, Santi Cazorla, Łukasz Fabiański, Yaya Sanogo, Kieran Gibbs*, Ryo, Thomas Eisfeld, Serge Gnabry, Damian Martinez, Gedion Zelalem.

It’s now two days until the start of the season and we only have a 20 year old who has a chequered injury record, only 21 senior appearances and 11 goals to show for it as our signings. With the squad as it is, we lack experience in certain key positions, especially in the ‘Regista’ role currently occupied by Arteta. Unless we sign a British based ‘home ‘ player we will not be able to register any experienced signings we pull out of the hat in time in order to  face Aston Villa this weekend.

Sagna is believed to have picked up an injury last night.

Apart from Santi, who travelled to Ecuador with the Spain Squad the rest of our internationals stayed close to home in Europe and should all be available for a light session on Thursday evening.

Baring in mind our record in the premiership on the opening day of the season over the last three years has been three draws with only 1 goal scored, I was really expecting Arsene Wenger to have options available should injuries occur during this unnecessary international break in order to ensure we started the season on a positive note.

The consolidation is that over the last 2 decades or so we are unbeaten in the last 13 home opening day fixtures in the Premier League winning 9 of them. 4 of our last 5 home opening day fixtures have ended with just under 2.5 goals average scored.

The big and important question is how thin our squad is compared to our top 4 competitors? Comparing our competitors’ squad like for like, I am compelled to conclude we actually have a very solid squad.

Man U Man City Chelsea Arsenal
Goalkeepers De Gea Hart Cech Flappianski
Lindegaard Pantilimon Schwarzer Szcesny
Amos Wright Wright Martinez
Defenders Raphael Richards Ivanovic Sagna
Evra Kompany cole Mertesacker
Jones Zabaleta Luiz Vermaelen
Ferdinard Lescott Terry Monreal
Evans Kolarov Azpilicueta Gibbs
Smalling Clichy Bertrand Jenkinson
Vidic Nastasic ake
Butner Razak
fabio
Midfielders Anderson Milner Essien wilshere
giggs Nasri Ramires Rosicky
Carrick sinclair lampard Arteta
Nani Garcia Mata Cazorla
Young Navas Oscar Ox-Chamberlain
Cleverley Rodwell Mikel Frimpong
Valencia barry de Bruyne Diaby
Kagawa Silva Van Ginkel Miyaichi
Fernandinho Hazard Gnabry
Toure Zelalem
forwards Rooney Negredo Torres Poldolski
Hernandez Dzeko Moses Walcott
Welbeck Aguero Schurrle Sanogo
van Persie Jovetic Lukaku Giroud
Henriquez Guidetti Ba
Zaha

I am aware fans will expect re-enforcement throughout the core areas of the squad. In an ideal world most fans would have wanted an experienced goalkeeper in the form of Schwarzer or Cesar, a central defender in the form of Ashley Williams, a winger like Willian Borges, a defensive midfielder in the form of Capoue/Gustavo and a striker in the mould of Rooney or Suarez.

In my opinion we just need a right back, a defensive midfielder and a striker; any other additions will be a bonus.  Schwarzer would have been a bonus but Jose was faster. Schurrle, Medel or Capoue would have very much been in our price margin but Arsene showed no interest.

I will continue to believe Arsene and his scouts will pull off a Houdini-like magic trick in this last few days for all of us to gloat over.

As the saying goes the transfer window  is never  over until Jim White chats to Harry.

Have a good day and keep the faith.

Written by Ginge.

rico

0 thoughts on “Our squad is solid! Another move for Suarez and Gustavo rejects us…..”

  3. rico says:

    How rude, good post Ts but as much as who we have are a good base, I still believe we need

    Goal scorer
    CH
    Gk
    ‘DM’

    And if Jenks goes on loan, Rb

  5. bc says:

    The champions league squad has nothing to do with epl squad. We can add plenty of players before the window closes. We only have 16 homegrown/non-homegrown players born 1991 or before so room for 9 players. Obviously bendtner and park are not included in that figure as they are so obviously surplus to requirements.

  7. Lawrence says:

    Good morning,

    Yes when I saw the squads yesterday I to felt we had a strong squad. Unfortunately for us I could name 6 players who are injury prone and can only see another season of struggles.

    I will be very surprised if we buy anyone before 2nd September. I believe the Board and AW are liars.

    The Suarez saga is fine to run and run as we could wait until 2nd for him as he cant play in the league until October. I strongly believe its all about us getting pass Fenerbahce to see if he comes. Liverpool will hope we get knocked out.

    So its same old Arsenal. There will be no change until Ivan goes and maybe Wenger.

  8. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning Ginge.
    Gustavo to Wolfsburg?
    11th in their league, 30,000 stadia and not a hope of winning anything. They do have two Brazilian internationals in Diego and Naldo playing for them, which along with a £115k a week salary and the fact that he doesn’t have to leave Germany could be seen as a plus point for him. Maybe it lacks ambition though?
    Last season we bought four quality players, which we hadn’t done for several years.
    I see it happening again. If it does – great. If it doesn’t then Arsene Wenger will have major problems.
    The show’s not over til the fat lady sings, eh?

  9. Wavy says:

    Good morning all

    Just a thouught what are the odds that AW is hanging on to his cash as he still thinks he can entice CF04 back to his spiritual home? If that is the case it may explain why we have seen nobody signed!
    Gustavo or Cesc? Mm, not much of a choice really.
    Then again, as I said the other day, perhaps AW thinks he has enoungh already, so he won’t be signing more players.
    Ho hum, another day of speculation, hope and inactivity! Boring isn’t it?

  10. rico says:

    Agree there Lawrence and Arteta is one of those imho, usually gets an injury when the pressure is on to get 4th spot..

    Ches and Flappy have had their fair share too..

  12. teebajj says:

    Morning all,

    Excellent post Ginge…

    Gustavo news all over the internet, don’t even know what to believe anymore

  13. ian says:

    you will never get suarez…wenger.s time is up at arsenal….most decent fans know this, great football..but allways fail in the end..and allways will with wenger….same old arsenal….

  14. Wingman of Mayhem says:

    Face it, guys. We can’t no longer attract big names to the club. The Champions League involvement no longer guarantees several big names rushing to the club. Why? Because of the man named Arsene Wenger. You tell me who wants to come to a so-called Champions League participant who only target the 4th place slot to qualify the CL? No ambition. No guts. Always whining about others but never try to build a competitive squad.Wilshere and Walcott should leave now, they gotta be sickening of this arrogant and senile manager called Arsene Wenger.

  15. Lewis says:

    Nice post Ginge.

    Not sure how you manage the positive spin but good effort it nearly has me optimistic we’ll make signings. Looks to me as our signings are hinging on CL qualification. I think our friendly against city underlined the gulf between our squads, there bench was top class, ours was kids.

    Also, rumours early in the week of Walcott having a knock. Why the fcuk is he then played until the 72nd minute in a pointless friendly to pick up another knock. I hate internationals with a passion, shite football!

  16. mattyboy88 says:

    I pray to the football gods that Gustavo signs for us or if not then this transfer window is a utter shambles especially with the spuds next door signing quality players and so far keeping there main asset and now just signing capone.. WTF is wenger thinking

  17. vernat1066 says:

    Morning good post, I think as of now we have Four players we have to keep fit until at least the closing of the transfer window

    Kosielny (best defender)
    Walcott (top scorer)
    Arteta (Best passer and most disciplined player(
    Rosicky (Speeds up play contributes all over the pitch)

    If (Big If) they can stay fit then we can wait and see if we qualify for the CL which like two years ago again looks like it is the reason for our non movement. I agree mostly with Rico on the players needed but instead of a DM i think we need a quality versatile midfielder who can not just play DM but can contribute going forward as well.

    On the Centre half we need a Pro-active centre half one that can anticipate and read a game Kos and Verm are reactive players and they have pace to recover situations Mertesacker while very very very slow reads a game organises the defence and calms players round him he is the centre half we need cover for but with more pace.

    Striker we need a Striker with the ability to play in the channels and to hold the ball and bring players into the game, workrate is key here as his overall value to the team will not just be in goals scored but in moving players around which then leaves space for Theo and Podolski to arrive late in the box.

    Goalkeeper we need an experienced Goal keeper who can improve the team on and off the field, on the field by being good at his job and off by being able to show an example of a top class player to the young keepers who can learn by observing him and how he goes about his job.

    Midfielder must be able to contribute in all parts of the pitch, our two most creative midfielders are Rosicky and Wiltshere both of whom have had issues with fitness. Again we need a player who can read the game and fill in at the back when necessary and arrive late in the box/run beyond the striker to score when teams park the bus against us.

    Midfield and centre half are where we should be spending our big money not striker this is where we can win and lose games more so than at centre forward.

  19. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “He wants playing time” is the mentality of a loser. If “you’re” good enough, “you’ll” get playing time…. Well under any other manager other than Arsene Wenger, anyway….

  20. Gervais cangy says:

    Has anyone been watching the Spurs midfield! Paulinho, Dembele, Capoue…we are going to our arse kicked big time! Mark my words, Fenerbache will dump us out of the CL playoffs! Diaby coming back wil be like a new signing!!! Disgusted!

  21. mattyboy86 says:

    I pray to the football gods that Gustavo signs for us or if not then this transfer window is a utter shambles especially with the spuds next door signing quality players and so far keeping there main asset and now just signing capone.. WTF is wenger thinking..shocking

  22. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I hate internationals with a passion, shite football! Well said Lewis. International football has been crap since the 1980’s.

    Morning Rico.

  24. southyorkshiregunner says:

    No one knows what Wenger is thinking or what Wenger is doing, Matty.
    Hopefully by Sept 2nd we’ll be sitting pretty.

  25. Mike says:

    To be honest my knowledge of European football is limited and am struggling to think of any quality players in the right positions that are available. There seems to have been a fair amount of movement around Europe and Arsenal have missed out on them all.

    Anyone have any knowledge of who Arsenal could buy to fill the required places?

  26. G_G says:

    Morning everyone
    Good post .. I agree with you when you that our squad is solid and IMO the team should definitely challenge, especially when you consider the fact that this summer we managed to keep all our best players together and this must have given then confidence as well as added strength.
    However, I do believe that we’re really short in some areas … So adding just a RB (and hopefully a striker) won’t probably be enough.
    The GK role is a very important one and SZ1 is still on a learning curve… Probably we’re waiting for Cesar to lower his wage demads… Or at least I hope so.
    The DM or pivot role is another area we desperately need cover as Arteta can’t carry the boat all season… And we can’t rely on Diaby unfortunately
    Finally the RB /CB position . Here’s another area that needs to be addressed.
    TV5 is out till God only knows, Sagna gets injured very often and CJ isn’t 100% ready yet.
    The best thing would probably be trying to find an experienced player who can play both as DM as well as CB. We need an utility player like with a defensive brain …
    Having a player like Gilberto who could shield the back 4 makes such a huge difference in big games !!!
    Well let’s hope for a good start of the season and some badly needed signings in the next 2 week. Have a good one everyone !

  27. rico says:

    Matty, with you there..

    And those mentioning the Totts midfield, they are a worry, and they’d signed a decent striker.. AVB isn’t stopping there either.

    Come the 2nd Sept, if Wenger hasn’t signed a few, we are up the creek without a paddle…

  28. tsgh says:

    Morning fellow gooners,

    Sagna injury is a worry but he still completed the match. If you add Ramsey to the equation then it is not looking good. SC19 scored against Ecuador in their back yard.

    Le Bleus can’t win a match without Diaby… hmmm; 6 hours playwed without scoring.

    The new kid Joshua Guilavogu started ahead of Capoue and cabaye

    But the performance of the BFG last night against Paraguay was how do I put it, a bit as suspect as Le Squid’s last performance for us…

    Kosser was made to play the full match when the French had more CBs sitting on the bench.

    The pros are Theo looks even more deadlier making him very important for us. Poldi looked decent playing inside left for the Krauts.

    OG played only 15 minutes for Le Bleus

  29. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Ginge, my boy…..good positive post 🙂
    Jenks is better off staying with us.
    I would genuinely be upset if he goes out.
    Wolfsburg……seriously?
    People think our club is dumb?
    If Gustavo joins them it will be til the World Cup and thats it….then he will be off.
    He is a snake who does not want to fight for a position.
    We are better off without him.
    I want players who want to play for Arsenal, and not for a club that can help them along their way.

  31. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all,
    May i just say what a good post this is, I know this was a last minute post but i must commend you Ginge you came up trumps. I found this post very enlightening and you have opened my eyes as to the clubs above us, like you i dont want an army of new signings just key players who can fit in and do the job. Marquee signings are usually long drawn out soap opera’s Bale Suarez Rooney and you would have thought that doing all the hard work would have been done early, but were Arsenal and even the simple seems to drag on. Potter said yesterday that our system needs changing and i agree with him on that one but we have Wenger at the helm and i don’t think anything moves without his say so. so we either have to change our leader or we have to wait and see how he fairs in this window till it shuts. Wenger has annoyed me i must say as he seems to still be penny pinching even when there appears to be a lot of money in the kitty. Arsenal are a massive club and should now be able to hold its own against anybody but old habits die hard. I feel that Wenger is going all out for younsters bringing what we have through and aquireing some on the way. He has aquired Sanogo a young striker i feel this will turn out a sound signing as for the other positions i feel he has targets but i also feel that his skinflint process will wait till the last moments of the window. Wenger has only been involved with the press over Suarez meanwhile i think he may have irons in the fire. I feel he will go young not something a lot of fans will take to but he has a young core and i believe he will stay with that plan and hope it works. Thank you Ginge i realy enjoyed that.

  32. tsgh says:

    Thanks all so far for the nice comments.
    southyorkshiregunner at 10:20 am

    “He wants playing time” is the mentality of a loser. If “you’re” good enough, “you’ll” get playing time…. Well under any other manager other than Arsene Wenger, anyway….

    Excellent Point!

  33. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Everton say they’ll listen to offers for Fellani and insist contrary to fictitious reports by Wayne Veysey of Goal.com that no one has bid for him. The same as Swansea state that no-one has bid for Ashley Williams.
    The Suarez “thing” which is driving all Arsenal fans and journalists alike “nuts”, looks like it will happen and as stated yesterday – his agent – Mr. Guardiola, will pull between £4M-5M out of any deal if his client joins us therefore, there is no way on earth his client is staying on Merseyside if it is up to him.

  34. mattyboy86 says:

    Rico think you need to go and have a word.. as much as ive defended wengo.. he is defo to blame for this he gives the thumbs up if he wants a player and if there worth their value.. If we dont sign anyone decent then Arsenal are not alone gonna compete with the big boys but are then toying with top four!

  37. tsgh says:

    That is it then… another CDM gone;

    Joshua looked very good last night against the likes of Fellaini and Hazard… he is an emerging target up the street of AW…

  38. Bradster says:

    Morning again,

    Fellani’s release clause has expired, doubt Everton will sell or for less than the release price.

  39. rico says:

    Morning Sp, I hope if AW is going to rely on youth and not make any top class signings, it’s the last time…

  41. asiangooner says:

    Morning Everyone

    Great post TS it has somewhat restored the confidence and the optimism is returning 😉

    Spuds have announced capoue!!! I think we play them home in our 3rd game!! I am sure we will still kick some spud arse with our youngsters 🙂

    I am getting more and more convinced now that we will not announce a single signing before CL qualification. If we will qualify we will sign if not I am afraid we might not sign anyone

    and i just said the optimism is coming back!!!! lol

  44. rico says:

    What a joke we are, £8.6 million for a player who this time last year, nearly everyone on here was crying out for yet out manager wasn’t interested.

    The day Cardiff’s bid was accepted for Capoue, he could have been in there and got the player signed.

    What goes on in that man’s mind beggars belief…

  49. rico says:

    Signing Gareth Barry would smack of desperation Ts…

    Still, it could be a good thing – fans will be livid and it could be the final nail in AW’s managerial career with us.

    And Kroenke’s reign…

  50. tsgh says:

    AsianG, Kondogbia started ahead of Capoue last night. And Kondogbia was not even the best DM at u-21 level.

    Capoue was very good the season before last but I think he wanted out big time and his form dropped considerably. Now that he has joined the dark side lets hope he is another Huddlestone than PV04.

  51. ananymous says:

    This article and the writer are very sick. What do you think makes your squad solid? Sonago, serge, Jekinson or who? Face it, Wenger and the board are not ambitious. As old as wenger in the football management business, He does not have any single champions league trophy to his name. its a shame. He finished behind chelsea with a squad which included gervinho, now gervinho is gone, vermeleen, sangna,monreal etc are all injured who does he have? Spurs finished a point behind Arsenal and the have re-enforced well, Liverpool have also re-enforced well, even Swansea have done so well and you are there singing praise of solid squad. Solid squad my foot.

  52. tsgh says:

    Hi Syg, maybe Imperial or Kings College need to start a degree to understand AW’s way of thinking…

    Lets huge he pulls a master stroke…

  61. rico says:

    But it shouldn’t come to that Ts, aren’t we better than that?

    Next we’ll be saying Milner would be a good deadline day signing…

    Look at all the money we have, why is some of this not being spent when IG made it clear that it can be…

    Like I said, I’ll be the first to eat humble pie if AW signs 3/4 really good players before the end of the window, but right night I can’t see where those players are coming from…

    The Totts meanwhile are looking to sign Tom Ince….

  62. tsgh says:

    Rodgers new comment on Suarez is very telling. It means they have realised he wants out… now place a solid bid and stop fluffing around like a 15 y.o boy at a school disco scared to ask a girl for a dance….

  63. asiangooner says:

    I hope so too TS but if the dip in form is just for one year because he wanted out and he is back to his previous form this season…. then everyone will be even more pissed off on arsene. The thing is capoue was also keen to play for us.

    Anyway, I am really trying to be positive now and stay that way till the end of the window. Have really tried to convince myself not to look for news and rumours but cant help it.

    The good thing about HH is that here you do find some people who are optimistic and positive (my man scott ;)) and others on other blogs the situation is really worse.

    SYG it seems finally someone has stuffed some sense into Brenda’s head. Man he is pathetic as a manager and the way he handled this suarez thing is absolutely shocking. He and Henry have put Liverpool in a very difficult situation and if they sell LS now….. they will get slaughtered (not literally 😉 i meant the abuse they will get) by their fans

  65. organizer says:

    Why is fake new escalating the whole globe naw? 4 Arsenal i knw Wenger & Gazidis 4signing low quality & free playerz to be later sold at high rate, so i hv no problem 4datz they role.

  66. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Rico,
    I just cannot see Wenger signing 30myear olds thats all, or players that are near that. he will want at least four years out of any player and if they don’t work out can still shift them. Looking at the team we have a few who are getting past it they have been good but the shellife is almost up, i just feel that that he will stick with youngsters as i don’t believe we are desperate enough yet to fill holes. He has had a massive clearout and that opens the door for what i think will be good youngsters. We have not produced enough ourselves and what seems to have happened is we now aquire other clubs he will be thinking of the future and our guys have started to gel just my thoughts.

  67. asiangooner says:

    now now ananomous, calm down a little my friend 🙂 no need to go bonkers just yet we still have 18 days to go

  68. tsgh says:

    You are right Rico… re buying better than that.

    There are still some very good players available. It’s just a matter of AW or Fox/law making things happen.

  71. tsgh says:

    Ag- re Capoue that is what concerns me too about AW. We bid for him in January according to Sadran. The player turned down PSG and Monaco within 6 months so money was not the issue. He just wanted to play in the EPL under AW but…

  72. Jimi says:

    The truth is that we have been caught out in the transfer market because of a combination of indecision and a lack of direction. The reality is that unless we now pay insane money we will not get any marquee signings. Why? Because we only have one significant target in Suarez, who LIverpool will not want to sell to a club they perceive as a rival for a Champions League place. Bearing in mind that it will be nigh-on impossible for Liverpool to replace Suarez at this late stage in the transfer window with a player of equal quality (their main target was the bloke at Atletico whose name escapes me and he has just signed a new contract), it is just not going to happen.

    Generally, the major deals don’t happen late. There are exceptions of course, but even then those deals have been in the pipeline and are the culmination of several weeks. We are nowhere near anyone.

    Just imagine for a second our first game after the transfer window, and Giroud pulls up with a significant injury. Compare that to Man City if the same thing happened to Aguero, or Dzeko, or Jovetic, or Negredo. They have 4 top class strikers. We have an injury-prone French under-20 player. It is the same story in at least four positions in our squad.

    Pretty much everyone on here or other blogs who still thinks we are going to make a major signing says it in hope, not expectation.

  73. rico says:

    But we don’t want 30 year olds Sp, 25-27 year olds.

    Ts – but slowly those players are being snapped up…

    Oh, and Sanogo is already injured…

  74. Bradster says:

    Are the players available though ts. They may be good but at this stage I doubt those teams want to start looking for a replacement.

    My take is that for the above reason, unless the deal is done and replacements found or in their team already, we will not be buying top quality on deadline day. Except the unhappy boys like Rooney or Suarez

  75. rico says:

    Hi Scott, they are spending the Bale money in advance, it’s not just Capoue, he’s just one example of players slipping through are fingers, yet he was a great price.

    I don’t get it….

  76. tsgh says:

    ananymous, my temperature is normal and my BP seems ok too…

    I don’t quite know why you think I am sick but… lol 😀

  78. asiangooner says:

    Dont tell me sanogo is injured rico he was our marquee signing so far 🙂

    Hey guys i missed what Big Al said is his comment still available rico?

    TS @ 10.59 well what happened has happened lets hope AW has something up his sleeve for all of us. Its just that we have had such a good record against spuddies at home for last two seasons I only want it to get better this year both at home and in their backyard as well

  80. vernat1066 says:

    I think Steve is right Wenger will look for players in the 24-28 age bracket at unfashionable clubs who he thinks can make the step forward. At that age he does not have to worry about bringing them on and giving experience, the wages will not be excessive and his 15 – 20 million to those clubs goes a long way to securing them. If you look at Arteta, Kosielny, Giroud, Cazorla, Monreal Podolski that is the type of player he is looking to buy and bring in.

  81. Elin says:

    Good post. and where is Scott today. Liked the debate yesterday and today we are all different, a glimmer of hope. As much as we all want to see new signings, the fact is Le Prof won’t change, same old same old, hope we will hold our own. Have always followed from the sidelines, a gooner from Southern Africa

  82. Scott from Oz says:

    Elin, i am always around, and ALWAYS positive 🙂
    Rico, it will be funny if Bale isn’t sold 🙂
    Yes, they will be strong, but broke lol.

  85. ktr7 says:

    Good read ts.i’ll wait till the end of the window before casting my judgement on the squad.

    Wolfsburg have called a press conference at midday at their stadium.guess they’ve wrapped up Gustavo…

  86. ananymous says:

    When AFC win Man C in a non competitive friendly wenger starts thinking about how good his squad is what about losing to Drogba’s team? What about drawing with Napoli all at emirates stadium? What about Drogba scoring the 2 goals as a continuation of his(Drogba) taste for scoring against AFC? What about selling RVP to Man U and Man U refusing to sell Roney to you? All Wenger and his cohort think about is money and loyalty to the club. Are Arsenal worthy of any loyalty when they have no regard for the fans. they over use players all in the name of deceiving fans that they have their reputation to protect. Little wonder, any player that leaves the club goes ahead to win trophies. Is it not a shame. One prophet TB joshua of Nigeria said that Arsenal can only start winning trophies when baby(about 2 months now)william becomes the king of England. What a prophesy .it is very much likely to come to pass. Arsenal fans shake off the shackles of past glory and live in the now.

  87. tsgh says:

    Its scary the whole global transfer window hinges on B-52 moving, once the TGSTEL moves watch the space… lol

  88. Scott from Oz says:

    Ananymous…….in one of those 3 games, we actually had a near full strength line up.
    I bet you can not guess which one it was!!

  89. Gavin says:

    I can not agree more with a few of these comments. I also try my hardest NOT to read the news because it is driving me insane! I love our club dearly, and feel genuinely let down by this transfer window.

    Obviously, it is not over yet, but it does feel like all the main business has been done and we’re scrambling around trying to make good the situation. It’s feels pathetic, and hopeless. If AW makes a mess of it, I honestly think it will be the end of him as us fans will actually revolt… whilst I’m on making a mess…

    I WILL NEVER FORGIVE AW FOR NOT SIGNING HIGUAIN – ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSES ON THIS ONE, AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN PHENOMENAL.

  90. rico says:

    Scott – I think he’s gone, and the Totts are spending the money first to ensure they don’t get ripped off..

  91. tsgh says:

    You are kidding right ananymous?… TB Joshua… anyway I think you need to make your way back to the asylum quietly before they find out you have gone blogging tosh…

  93. rico says:

    Guys,I will say this only once, any one who name calls, no matter how minor will be straight into spam – I missed a few the other day whilst out..

    That is not what HH is about and if people can’t resist calling someone a name, then bugger off elsewhere and do it as you are not welcome here…

    Simply rules here, stand by them or leave asap!!

  101. Bradster says:

    Oh my, our squad looks quite depleted. Perhaps it’s psychological for Villa and we come out with a full strength team.

  102. rico says:

    Just why so many fear the lack of depth we have in this current squad but many keep banging the ‘let’s stay optimistic’ drum..

    We are thread bare and it’s getting worse by the day…

  103. rico says:

    I would normally chuckle Bradster, but sadly I doubt there is anything other than truth behind the injuries….

    Of course I pray I am wrong…

  105. vernat1066 says:

    Anyone think that Christian Eriksen would be a good signing apparently Spurs are sniffing round as are Liverpool he is in the last year of his contract at Ajax and could provide cover for Rosicky/Cazorla

  106. ktr7 says:

    I doubt we made more than an inquiry for Gustavo.he isn’t the type of midfielder Wenger likes in his system.if we sign one expect him to be a more mobile version of Arteta or a box to box like Ramsey.Lars Bender would’ve been perfect.

  107. asiangooner says:

    Well ananymous if thats the prophesy than i guess all the arguments are useless…..

    We all know now that arsenal wont win another trophy and especially you since you strongly believe it so i think you either start supporting someone else or simply relax as your moaning definitely wont change the prophesy!! eh

    But i think the best thing to do is look at the positives, hope for the signings, pray our players dont get injured and who knows maybe this is the year for us. Like i said there are still days left before the TW shuts and there are still players available who can add value as our good friend TS has pointed out

    Oh and welcome to HH and i think its time you chose a name rather than posting as ananymous 🙂 come join the group properly

  109. emma says:

    Arsène Wenger has revealed the following team news ahead of Arsenal’s first Premier League game of the season.

    on the international players…
    We have positive news from the players on international duty. All the texts we had have back are OK. The games were quite intense but we hope everyone comes back in good shape.
    Twitter

    Use our dedicated hashtag to join the match conversation
    #AFCvAVFC

    on Cazorla’s international in Ecuador…
    He played almost a full game. He only lands in London tonight [Thursday] so we’ll see how he is tomorrow.

    on Mikel Arteta…
    Mikel has a slight thigh problem. We have to check that. I don’t know if he will be out for the weekend. He has a scan today.

    on Nacho Monreal (back)…
    He should join up with the squad for full training in 10 days. He is out for the weekend of course.

    on Thomas Vermaelen (back)…
    It is a while longer for him. It is difficult to put a timescale on it but it will be a bit longer. He is progressing OK.

    on Abou Diaby (knee)…
    It is longer still for him but again the timescale is difficult. He is a few months in and it was expected to be nine months.

    on Ryo (rib)…
    He is close and he should be back with the training group next week.

  110. stevepalmer1 says:

    Dont you worry about the injuries the press will have a field day on that and i know what comes next.

    And Anorexmious selling our star player, think about your own mate.

  111. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Nice one Ginge. It added to your growing reputation as a quick thinker, fast analyser and super printer. 😉 Good to see someone with a brain which is faster than all the rest of body organs. 😆

    Seems as if Kev is up to his nose being fed up with AFC. Haven’t seen him for a while on HH.

    Gustavo has not yet decided/has decided which club to join yet. Some sites say he has gone to Wolfsburg others say he has not. Whichever way I feel that it is only paper talk. We have not had AW saying that he is after LG.

  112. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Yeh, Lower East Stand, Ginge.
    You’ll have to let us know when you’re going and i’ll cop a beer with you.

  113. ktr7 says:

    I think Rodgers has had it with suarez going by today’s comments.if we match their valuation i can see them letting him go.

  115. asiangooner says:

    hmmmm rico you are in a fierce mood today 🙂 is it expected to get fiercer in the coming day? I will try to behave from now on 😉

    TS if the injury updates of today are true than i guess we are f**ked and we have been saying all along that for us to succeed it is pivotal that our first team stays injury free. Oh well its not a perfect world

  116. vernat1066 says:

    I hope so Devil it would be a start anyway as well as showing some intent in signing a good young player with CL experience already and as a bonus would annoy Spurs and Liverpool a Triple Whammy.

  117. rico says:

    Morning Devil, Kev, Lee, Adam and Rocky, none have been around for a good few days..

    It’s a shame, I miss them all….

  118. Ian Hawthorne (@iawilha61) says:

    The truth is we have been made to look like fools in this transfer market. We finish 4th, have a shed load of money, can offer Champions League football,yet nobody wants to come to us or our tight fisted boss won’t meet a players evaluation who does want to come. Meanwhile, Spurs finish 5th, can’t offer anything other than ragular Thursday night football, yet have signed 3 or 4 quality players. I don’t believe any Arsenal supporter who says they would not be happy with Paulinho and Soldado as signings.
    The man responsible for all transfer dealings is Arsene Wenger, so the question must be asked. Is he up to the job? I suggest the results speak for themselves, yet we constantly stand by his decisions.
    This was supposed to be the dawn of a new era when Arsenal started to climb back to the top. All I can see is Arsenal NOT making the top 4 for the first time in 18 years.
    We have good players but a very thin squad and injuries will turn our first team into the Next Gen team.
    PATHETIC

  120. emma says:

    To me the arteta role is the most critical in the squad at the moment. If we don’t get the right player in we could be in for a long haul this season. We’ve got enough players in the CM/AM role but short in the DM. Ramsey would have being a suitable fit but will be wasted playing him there. If rumours about Gustavo is true there is a better DM out there Joshua D. of saint etienne who played that role for france yesterday vs Belgium. He is currently the best DM in france. He might not be the A-list name we want but he is better than Capoue who has just signed for the scums. Seriously I place him in the same bracket as Lars bender

  123. ananymous says:

    tsgh, whats your argument? Whats your point? Is it that AFC are so fantastic or you’ve closed your eyes to the happenings around?

  124. rico says:

    Moaning already…

    Manchester United manager David Moyes says he finds his club’s start to the season “hard to believe”.
    Among their first five games, the champions play Chelsea at home and Manchester City and Liverpool away.
    Season starts
    Arsenal: Aston Villa (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A), Stoke (H).

    Chelsea : Hull (H), Aston Villa (H), Man Utd (A), Everton (A), Fulham (H).

    Man City: Newcastle (H), Cardiff (A), Hull (H), Stoke (A), Man Utd (H).

    Man Utd: Swansea (A), Chelsea (H), Liverpool (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man City (A).

    Tottenham: Crystal Palace (A), Swansea (H), Arsenal (A), Norwich (H), Cardiff (A).

    Moyes said: “I think it’s the hardest start for 20 years that Manchester United have had.
    “I hope it’s not because Manchester United won the league quite comfortably last year [that] the fixtures have been made much more difficult.”
    He added: “I find it hard to believe that’s the way the balls came out of the bag, that’s for sure.”

  125. rico says:

    Not just DM emma, one injury at the back and we are stuffed, one to Giroud and it’s all shift again and lord forbid Sagna is really injured badly…

    Solid squad, sorry but I think it’s frail and just one or two injuries or red cards away from being an absolute catastrophe…

    Optimistic? I can’t be right now….

  127. devilgunner says:

    Ananymous, can you kindly go and read the article again properly???

    It seems as if you skimmed through it without even understanding what Ginge has written.

  128. emma says:

    Vernat : eriksen? good player but we’ve got enough players in that position. Its’ the DM role that is worrying

  130. tsgh says:

    Hi Dev, thanks btw

    Ananymous, my debate is like everyone on here… we need players. Even the stubborn AW conceded that last saturday after the game…why is he not signing players? Maybe TB Joshaua can tell us….

    Some say we need at least 5 new additions I think we need 3 critical signings.

    With we do not sign anyone we may win F all but we still have to pay at least 38 games in the EPL and at least 1 game each in the CoC and FA cup…

  131. stevepalmer1 says:

    Ian Hawthorn, can understand why your upset, many others are as well, but i only know for certain that Wenger has bid on the Liverpool player I was not aware that we have made it public that we have bid for anybody else and believe me he has not given up on Suarez yet. All this talk of players only want to sign for Champions league clubs has me scratching my head . We were the last ones left in it last year and the others never got over the first hurdle i dont think players are thinking too much about Champions league more about money mate.

  134. ananymous says:

    Devilgunner, i think you should be the one to go through the article well. Ginge did well to remind you that you are not that thin after all in case you do not understand. Please, no hard feelings, AFC squad is a feather weight compared to their supposed competitor unless you want to convince me that AFC is not competing with any big team in the EPL.

  136. Gunnerdna says:

    This squad ain’t good enough, we need a GK, CB, AM & DM. That’s is replacing Scz, MA08, Mert and whoever starts as attacking MF to have any hope of challenging. 60% of the starting 11 should b squad players.

  138. devilgunner says:

    Ananymous………that is what Ginge said. That our squad is featherweight compared to the others.

    I am not trying to convince you that AFC can compete. I am realistic and experienced enough to know that AFC squad is not good enough. Hell we have been punching far above our weight, especially these last couple of seasons.

  139. ananymous says:

    tsgh, thats my argument too. But face it, can you see any sign that AFC can challenge any of the top teams given the way they have done in the transfer market so far? Also, is there any difference between now and the last 8 trophiless years. Even, some 4-5years ago look better as they were a touching distance away from winning EPL

  142. stevepalmer1 says:

    Anny, We are where were supposed to be whether we like it or not 3 clubs above us have mega fortunes that is fact we finished in the top 4 for many many years the teams below us are a sight worse off. Should one of those teams or all of them have a bad season can you tell me you wouldn’t see Arsenal higher. Yes we were only one point ahead of your mob but that point was enough for us to go forward and try and qualifi i know where i would rather be.

  144. rico says:

    Ts, a lot of fans already are. The club aren’t selling st which proves it…

    Fans are already cheesed off because of what has gone on for the last 3/4 summers.

    This is his last summer imho, if it all goes belly up against Villa, the fans will let their feelings known…

  145. southyorkshiregunner says:

    ananymous – We don’t know what Arsenal are doing in the transfer market. We only knew about the Suarez bid because Liverpool told the world hoping that Madrid would come in and up the ante.
    Arsenal never say anything.
    We know we bid for Grenier, Gonalons and Bender but it was the “owning” club confirmed that.
    The tabloids know not much more than we do on here…….

    4-5 years ago the first team (not squad) comprised several great players who were carrying shite players.

    Today the first team (not squad) are all decent players – we have no shite. We just need to add great players. Suarez, Bender, Gonalons and possibly Grenier fall into that category.

  146. Gunnerdna says:

    Sp re ur 12:38pm I disagree, if afc shows more ambition over the past years we could have won something, we are where we suppose to be is comment is bs..

  147. tsgh says:

    I think this team is on par with the 2007/2008 team that got ‘Eduadoed’ at Birmingham…

    Like most people who look at things pragmatically on here, no one not even me will say we are title contenders. The question is does the board and manager truly want to compete.

    Forget about what they may say when there is a camera or mic in front of them…

    Even a title winning team have up and downs throughout the season, I look forward to getting excited about our wins and the frustration of nights like Bradford.

    All I am trying to say is that it is very obvious that the fans and board/manager want different things… they get paid whatever the cost… we as fans have to be strong and hope the players we have exceed expectations again this season.

    And note, the 4th richest club mantra is a BIG lie… we are the 4th most valuable club not richest. We spent only 58% of our revenue whilst Chelsea who bring in 60M more than us in revenue spent 82% of their revenue…

    Strangely enough Roman was one of the first to sign up to FFP even though it is rubbish…

  148. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Benteke….. ? A one-dimensional, one-season wonder. Cut off his supply and he’ll be stood around scratching his balls like a mugger in a bus stop…
    Arsenal will turn Villa over 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0.

  150. tsgh says:

    Hi Dna, is it not strange that the manager most slate as being useless is able to spend less than Everton and still finish in 3rd/4th place?

    The question is will any manager have been able to achieve that? The board have all the power; if they want what we want they will go after it.

  151. Gunnerdna says:

    “we as fans have to be strong and hope the players we have exceed expectations again this season.” That’s more like it ts. Lol

  154. rico says:

    Syg, what irks me though is the interest in those players were a good few weeks back. What has AW done since to work on a plan b?

    Nothing so it seems….

  156. rico says:

    With all our reported injuries Syg, I see a draw looming again…

    Gtid, I hope he doesn’t choose them, after all, he said he’d love to play for Wenger. But have we even made an offer for him I wonder, the press seemed to think so and that it had been accepted…

  157. Gunnerdna says:

    Ts I’m probably unfair but I think afc deserve more than being a 4th place team, so I care less what AW spend on transfers because he might not spend a lot but he usually buy crap, how much did we loose in this transfer window? Secondly we are not the Ajax or Shakhtar Donetsk of the Epl who develop talents and can’t keep them. Afc might b too big for Aw at this moment because its televised football has changed..

  158. rico says:

    I’m not sure they are so secret any more Syg, we all knew about Podolski and Giroud a while before they were announced.

    I know some say Cazorla was a surprise but that leaked on twitter a good few days before the press got hold of it so it was little shock when he was finally announced.

    And re Suarez, well Adam told a few of us that we were in for him maybe 6 weeks before the press hit the headlines.

    Long gone are the days of us doing deals in secret imho and that’s because old Ebenezer mucks around with a players value. Then the deal either is lost because another club has nipped in or we just walk away for the sake of a few pounds…

  159. stevepalmer1 says:

    Now i am a wenger supporter, not a popular place to be at the monent but i have watched this man like most of you since he came. Now if somebody had come up and offered me 16 years in the top 4 at that particular time i would have pulled his arm off. Wenger maybe finished washed up a useless manager in some of your eyes but he has still done a feat and still does. The man is incredably frustrating he never does what supporter want him to do in fact at times he does the reverse of what we want but he is still a manager that outshines most. The top teams have had an array of managers goodlooking managers managers with credentials loads of experience and some that the press love to interview. Wenger has only a couple of those atributes but he has the important ones his loyal to a fault he knows what the kitty is no matter what the club tells us he will continue running AFC untill he dies. I know this will annoy a lot of you but you will have to get over it because Arsenal football club will never sack him.

  161. ktr7 says:

    We really need to buy.there is no way wenger can justify not even making a single 1st team purchase.if arteta is really out we have big problems in midfield especially for the CL playoff and it could become a tricky tie.

  162. Gunnerdna says:

    Sp if AW doesn’t win a trophy this year, there is no need for the club to sack him, the crowd at the Ems will. Lol

  163. rico says:

    Sp, but they may not offer him a new contract…

    Syg, that could actually be good news about Arteta, might just force AW to get on and sign a ‘DM’…

    Mind you, this is the same man who failed to sign defence cover in January when we had no fullbacks so maybe I’m kidding myself..

  167. stevepalmer1 says:

    True Rico but only the club know how much money was available, I like you moaned like hell about that and i still believe we would have won the league but if the money wasn’t there, then it wasn’t. Wenger wants to win the same as us he shows the frustration the same as we do when we lose he is a winner below the surface but he holds Arsenals future above his own wants
    When Wenger does end his days with us Arsenal football club will be safe forever no matter how the climate is We are a big club of that we all know but to get to the very top of the tree sometimes there has to be compromise, our future looks prety good at the moment and money has started to flow i see no reason that we cannot buy players but not stupidly remember our biggest signing in the history of the club was Arshaven at 15 Mill and now look at us talking in figures of 50 mill ok we have not tied that deal up yet but did you ever believe we would make a bid like that. One top player for that kind of money and a few around the 15 mill is what i expect, up till now we have a free signing so some things never change but i will wait till its all over and i suggest everybody calm down, if you want to join marches or sign petitions or any other way to protest help yourselves but dont kid yourselves we will spend like some of the others because we wont.

  168. Gunnerdna says:

    Rico it so frustrating because I thought this would b our time, because even the blind could c where we need to improve last season but the gaffer thinks otherwise. After 90+ days in the transfer window we are still scouting and doing trials, although we got money in the bank. I’m sorry but it’s go time, AW needs to know that.

  172. ktr7 says:

    its quite likely we’ll see a combo of Ox/jack/Ramsey against villa.it could turn out to be exciting and terrifying to watch…

  173. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Steve – As a club we (Arsenal) have broken the British Transfer Record a few times and had always paid figures around the British Transfer Record.. Denis Bergkamp was the last until Collymore signed for Liverpool.

    Arsenal will break the British Transfer record when they buy Suarez from Liverpool for £50M + 1p

    As a club Liverpool are used to selling their best players to break the British Transfer Record …. Keegan, Rush, Torres ….. They just don’t like to think that its Arsenal who their player is going to… It makes them look the smaller club …

  175. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hiya Syg, Good points mate, There comes a time where all clubs have to do what is best for their own clubs we sold Van persie to rivals Man U we knew what kind of team they had and what VP would do for them but we had rules in place that they won’t change 1 year deals for over 30 players and Persie wanted security i don’t blame him for that after all he did well for us and Wenger let him go to our biggest rival. “0 odd mill for a player who took eight years to come good at the age of 30 was a good deal in my eyes but not for a lot of other supporters Wenger showed loyalty to VP and he got a good move. Liverpool has got a loose cannon he has baggage and he also has a hatred for the people of Liverpool Football Club it would be proffesional suicide to keep him players would all look at Liverpool and wonder if anything they are told is truth or what. but on the other hand we could be buying a losse cannon who has lied to us and ends up eating half our team, thats where Wenger comes in, can he tame this wild animal can he make him conform to the strict standards that Arsenal have. personally i think Suarez is a bad boy but fcuk me he can score goals he excites and he works his socks off, he’s the one man that can make our engine fire i think he’s a must have signing.

  176. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Cheers Steve. When they get our £50M they (Liverpool) can go squander it on England’s most prolific striker – Ricky Lambert from Southampton …

  177. rico says:

    Sp, but now we have money, why won’t AW spend it? I think I know the answer but many still prefer to refuse to accept thats it down to one man.

    I didn’t want to accept that either when I found out, but now and for the greater good, that one man needs to either get with the clubs plan, or walk away and let someone else do so…

  181. tsgh says:

    Syg, what time are you planning to be i London before the game?

    The Saint millionaire means business… wow.

    Next they will be coming back for Bale, Ox and Theo…

  183. rico says:

    Totts in for another player?

    Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld has confirmed he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

    The Belgium international has been linked with a move to Everton, while Tottenham and Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in the Ajax man.

    The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Ajax and he admits he has not made a decision on his future as yet as he waits on offers from his suitors.

    “It depends if there is a club coming [in] that I want to go to,” Alderweireld told Sky Sports News. “But I’m patient and we will see in a few days.

    “We will see, if they [Tottenham] are very interested then I will hear what their plans are.”

    Asked about the links with possible moves to Everton or Newcastle, Alderweireld added: “[There is no offer from Everton] that I know of, maybe my manager knows. But I was focusing on the [Belgium] game and now I’m focusing on Sunday.

    “I didn’t hear from those clubs. But those are beautiful clubs and the Premier League is a beautiful competition, so we will see.”

  184. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The transfer of Sylvain Wiltord to Arsenal was similar to Suarez. Both wanted to leave their respective clubs and it became messy, and wasn’t sorted until the dying days of the transfer window,

    I am only confident because
    1. Arsenal are the only club wanting to buy Suarez … so far
    2. £40M in “Wenger pounds” equates to a £200M fee, and Wenger wants him as his marquee signing. Wenger really wants him …
    3. Suarez wants to join us
    4. Suarez’s agents wants him to join us more than he does
    5. Liverpool are looking for replacements as we speak

  185. ktr7 says:

    Why does Wenger have to keep on telling us we’ll be active in the market till Sept 2nd?…I wish he would shut it and do it instead of talking about it.he also has no business comparing us to chelsea.they have a far better squad than we do and a manager that wouldn’t call 4th place a trophy.

  186. tsgh says:

    Arsène Wenger says Arsenal will be active in the transfer market before the deadline passes on September 2.

  187. tsgh says:

    Syg, if I may also add, we will be paying cash down I believe because we are cash rich. The swampies may get £120M for Bale but it is in the form of IOU…

  188. ktr7 says:

    ts come to think of it Rosicky could be fantastic there.however he is our best AM and is far more likelier to start there.i hope Ox will replace Arteta because i don’t want jack anywhere near that double pivot.

  189. stevepalmer1 says:

    Rico, 🙂 you and me will never agree on Wenger you know that as well as me In my eyes everything about the football side of Arsenal is Wengers idea i think he is a genius and i believe that the Arsenals Hierachy feel the same. Yes i agree with you on some points Wenger needs to get his head out of his arse and actually secure the deals but that is easy for me to say. Liverpool have been sodding about for ages waiting for a bidding war to start WSenger has put 2 bids in and nobody else is in the race what do you suggest Wenger do add another 10 mill on his bid. Suarez is making waves he is not happy he wants to come to Arsenal and they want him to come but to bid against yourself is just not cricket. I know what your going to say now why havent we got a back up plan. and i would say that is why we are holding onto the 10 mill. Your next question will be why haven’t we secured anybody else for the other positions and my answer would be because i think he knows who he wants and knowing him nobody else has heard of them and he will do what he normally does and bid last minute. We both have different views Rico but we both have the same aims we both want Arsenal at the top of the pile and slowly but surely were making our way there. 🙂

  190. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Doncaster – KingsX – 9:12am train, Ginge.
    Back up home on 6:30pm train – in curry house for 9pm
    In between that I’ll cop a cold pie and a pint in the ground and see us thump Villa.

  191. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I saw the Toby Alderweireld thing earlier Rico.
    We’ll get Ginge to bomb us some stats down the wires ..

  192. ktr7 says:

    Also comparing us to MUFC is idiotic.they won the league by 11 points last year.Wenger should concentrate on our club.i couldn’t give a f**k about what other clubs do.

  193. rico says:

    I’m not convinced Syg, I saw the Thauvin earlier too 😉

    Sadly, AW won’t go for either I suspect…

  194. stevepalmer1 says:

    Ktr7, good points but if you dont keep an eye on the other clubs you end up not knowing why they had 11 pts clear. I watched most of Uniteds games last year as most of them were televised now i know i an biassed but what i observed was that referee’s gave them many points now i know that cannot be proved but i am also not stupid. Apart from that they had a good squad, but its coming a bit unstuck.

  195. emma says:

    Arteta out for 1month it seems. That’s why we’ve being banging about the DM. Not that he was involved in the interlude. Wear and tear beginning to take place b/s of age

  196. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Suarez interview:

    “Joder qué puto Brendan Rogers dice. Quiero jugar para el Arsenal de mierda.
    “Que son un gran equipo de fútbol, que juegan un gran puto fútbol
    “Odio follando Scousers.”

  198. S2S says:

    TS, Brad: No way TR7 is sitting that deep. As much as I love AR16, he ain’t rockstar that little Mozart is. No one noin current team is as good as he is. I think we’d have 4 man MF where Jack, Ox and TR07 will drift in as and when required on LW and we’d have width and real goal threat from right with Theo. We’d try to crowd MF and keep possession and will try to free Theo as and when we can cause Lambert likes to play high line of defense. That’s what I think. We may be conservative and try not to lose match and conserve energy to get to Turkey without any scratch. I really hope we don’t go for very high tempo game since conserving energy for Turkey is most important. We have to be fresh.

    On the other hand what you lot think of playing Poldi in the whole with Jack benched and Ox on more of a Yossi kind of role?

    Ts,

    I heard rumors about Arsene moving for Xabi Alonso, is there any truth in that?

    Btw, its an awesome awesome post. I am eternal optimist and I’d never give up hope even we play U 18s for first team for whole season. I think under AW even they’d get us in the top half of table.

  199. emma says:

    syg – 😉

    Or it could be a tactical ploy by arteta forcing Wenger to get a DM before the window shuts 😆

  201. rico says:

    2.46 Kt. I couldn’t agree more..

    More garbage and spin from a man who managed to secure us a young freebie who was always injured. Oh, and who is now before the season starts…

  202. tsgh says:

    Conspiracy Emma? That is why you have Rico wondering if I know you 😀

    s2s, Alonso was a big target before Carlito took over… He was one of my tips too; even Casillas was keen on working with AW…

  203. S2S says:

    Btw, if we do sign Suarez, I’d want to write an article on what in our country think of racism and all that but even after all that I’d still not want to sign him.

    Btw,on Emma and Ts’s recommendations I saw Jackson Martinez play for Porto and he does look like a real fox in the box. I would rather we get him then Suarez.

  204. rico says:

    There is of course a small chance that Arteta is seriously injured and we are stuffed for the Villa game…

    I wonder who AW will find in the squad to make fit in….

  205. Wavy says:

    Can’t load up blog. Keep getting something called: Unruly Media RTB Privacy Policy

    video, unopened and unwanted. The site keeps defaulting to it. Help?

    Wavy

    Sent from my iPad

  206. rico says:

    Please don’t start all that again about racism S2S…

    I thought you and emma were husband and wife Ts. Then again, you wouldn’t agree so much if you were 😉

  209. S2S says:

    SP: United win league only and only because of refs. Since I am in India I am forced to see a lot of United games while waiting for others. And trust me when I say this even before the season starts United are clear @ top by 12 points.

    May not be this year with AF retiring and Jose coming back since I think they both have way with refs.

  213. Andy Liverpool says:

    I am as bored by the whole Suarez saga as I’m sure you are. I don’t think anyone knows what is going on inside his head (not sure he does, just look back to his on-field antics). I just can’t see us selling to you despite the reasons put forward by various people in this column. Forget what Rodgers thinks, I am sure that John Henry will not sell to you. Talking to mates and other people, most people (in fact everyone I have spoken to) thinks we need to get rid of him but not to another English club and not this late in the window. Abroad would be ideal but little sign of that happening. It would appear that he may well be with us for a while yet simply because nothing is happening. I think he has been amazed that no-one else has been interested in signing him.

  214. southyorkshiregunner says:

    S2S says:
    August 15, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    I think the Special Constable in our village is a fat useless wanker – And just so he knew my feelings I’ve even said it to his face. But it doesn’t mean I hate all fatties.
    In general I don’t mind fatties. They can be a bit greedy and they sometimes smell a bit, but they are generally quite jovial characters.

    Saying something is one thing – Being it is another.

    Sometimes in the heat of the moment and when people do wrong to you or piss you off, we use “descriptions” of them in the following tirade to sort of vent our anger.
    Anyone who says they haven’t, is a liar.

  215. stevepalmer1 says:

    Rico, nice one. I get down at times i am not a good loser and all this shaking hands and saying the best man won gives me a bit of a sore throat. My views change with results but when i sit back and try and realise that you can’t win them all, i look back to the invicibles and of our other victories and i see Wenger standing as proud as a peacock. I know we have probably the best Manager in world football but the bugger gets to me at times I get agitated when he sods about when i want him to do things faster I have writen blogs that not always has portraid him in a good light but when i sit back and look at the last few years and the money that has come into the game i see Arsenal as the No one club, take away their money and they would be down the bottom of league 2 We don’t realise just what we have but if he left we would soon find out. Yes money can buy you success that has been proved but a good manager can keep you very close.

  216. vernat1066 says:

    I would like to see the whole LS thing ditched and we go after players who are available not only to buy but to play given LS behaviour at Liverpool he misses about one game in six anyway suspended, and we will never sell him for more than we buy him its just throwing money away on admittedly a very very good footballer but one with just too many issues

  217. rico says:

    Your training will get you by Ts 😉

    AL, Its a tough one, never thought Arsenal would our captain and best player to Man utd but we did. I doubt there is a way he can stay with your club and surely you wouldn’t waste money paying a player who won’t play for you?

    If no-one else comes in for him, the club will surely be left with no option to sell to Arsenal, if of course we offer an amount acceptable to Liverpool…

  219. S2S says:

    @ Rico,

    He’s too valuable going forward and its a gut feeling based on the last game of last season. Still an opinion and its one where I hope I am more right than wrong.

    And sorry on racism but i think there is nothing like racism on this earth.but that too is my opinion. But I’d not talk about that again.

  221. rico says:

    Good S2S, I hope you don’t too, it’s something which is flung around far too often without substance…

  222. southyorkshiregunner says:

    A wankerist? That’s a new one, Rico.
    You’ll have to ask DutchGooner Stan about that one LOL

  225. S2S says:

    Btw, its Indian Independence day..happy to all.

    And guys its my b’day on Saturday, lets hope things go according to plan.

    I am travelling to friend’s engagement, so won’t get to see it. Hope to have awesome day.

  229. S2S says:

    Syg

    While playing games, I’ve done such things plenty of times. Its always on the play ground. Its called sledging in cricket. And it makes game more fun. And it gets even more fun when some one can give you as good as you’ve given them,

    And for me its one of the motives of the game, building character as in when going gets tough, tough gets going and not the other way around..

  230. tsgh says:

    oh dear… Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Gareth Bale will not feature in the opening part of the season

  231. tsgh says:

    Dominik Dorschner ‏@r4bbiz 17h
    @honigstein @BILD Wolfsburger Allgemeine (very close to VfL) says Wolfsburg pays about 22 Mio. € and #Gustavo earns about 8 Mio. € / year.
    Retweeted by raphael honigstein
    View conversation

  232. stevepalmer1 says:

    I can understand everybodies concerns over the depth of our squad, now we have had a clear out it makes you realise that we look fragile compared to some others but when you sit back and think of who you would have put on i bet there is not many you would have chosen. Only eleven players are allowed on the pitch at any one time so a squad of 22 would be ideal or so you would have thought but where we play tactical changes not every body would settle in with that so we have the specialists that can play other positions. I look at our team and i could pull holes in every player and probably could replace him with another that i considered better but on another day he may not come up to expectations that is the dilema of Premier football. At this present time i feel we have a fairly good squad most of the positions are covered if we had an injury. We are no less weaker than a lot of the other sides but most of us believe we are. I am happy with the exidous of all the deadwood as Wenger will now not be able to use them. On the whole i think we have an exciting team we have some blinding youngsters Ramsey Wilshere Jenkinson The Ox and some of those that were played on the tour we are not up shit creek we are sitting pretty good in my mind. I have seen Sanogo who i have stuck my neck out and said he will be a 20 mill player in a couple of years, i an also excited with Eisfeld i feel he will become a household name like Jack and Aaron Theo has started to shine and i have given him a fair bit of stick I now don’t think bringing in a new keeper is a good idea i feel it will only put the keepers we have back in their development we have thined them down and there is plenty of scope for one of them to shine through i would suggest Fabianski but i am probably wrong and Szezesney will bloom. but on the whole i am very optimistic with this squad. of course Wenger can add a few players we have room for them and Suarez would in my opinion b e a great signing. Jenkinson should stay within our squad in my opinion he Oozies Arsenal and you cant buy that anywhere i think we are doing alright.

  233. tsgh says:

    ESPN on the German defence last night

    Hummels, in particular, looked at fault for those two strikes, but it was a collective failure. “It’s difficult when there’s no pressure in midfield on the opposition,” said the Dortmund player. Low agreed but warned that the defence had to do better in anticipation of long balls, too.

  234. tsgh says:

    Ditto-SP1, depending on how Frimps and Diaby come back we may have a good backup for the DM roles too…

    Its a huge risk not to have ready made replacement especially with money in the accounts we should not be taking. AW seemed very relaxed during the interview wish is reassuring or delusional…

    Its quite simply really, we can walk to Everton today with £20M+ and get Fellaini; no one seems keen.

  235. tsgh says:

    raphael honigstein ‏@honigstein 17h
    easy to be critical of AFC transfer-dealings – I certainly have been – but in this case, there are (probably) exonerating circumstances…
    Expand

    raphael honigstein ‏@honigstein 17h
    . @Bild says that Wolfsburg are paying “close to €15m”. That would be LESS than Arsenal’s reported GBP 14m bid…. #valuationnottheissue
    Expand

  237. Wavy says:

    Seems to be working again. Shame I’ve got nothing to add to today’s debate. Except…….
    ……………………..No news is not good news!

  239. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! I see we have NOT signed anyone yet! That will be boo-hoo then. 🙁

    Hiya, rico! Howdy? Ginge, not a bad article; it is supremely concerning how wafer thin our squd seems to be. AW has his work cut out for him buying and buying well. 😉

    SSP, nice to see you sooo positive again; a few months ago you weren’t nearly as upbeat. 😉 Or does your mood echo your fishing exploits?

    Where is that Kev? I have an “update” for him. 🙂

  240. rico says:

    No Wavy, no news is shocking!

    Hi agag, good thanks, you? Wafer thin it is, just wait until Sept 2nd, Wenger will be shopping quicker than you do online 😉

  241. Femi says:

    Tranfer window,on arsenal,is too insipid. Prepare ur mind for the feared. Live outside top 4 looms! Our squad is good but not strong

  242. agirlagunner says:

    Haha. But it won’t do for AW to rummaging through the bargain bin. We need a Saks Fifth type of purchase. 😛

  245. frednerk says:

    Afternoon Rico and all,
    Have to congratulate everyone to-day,to get everyone debating the ones that got away takes some doing.
    We have no good news coming out of the emirates,
    other than how much money we have in the bank.
    The big worry at the moment,can we field a good enough side to beat the villa.
    Right down to the wire with wenger,then the check book will come out.

    We all new deep down did’nt we,

  246. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hiya Agag, couldn’t catch a fish in a fish shop. Hope your search for work is going well.
    Last seasons results in the CC and FA cup and Champions league is just a dull ache now Agag Top 4 league position has enabled us to compete for a CL spot and i believe we will make it. Wenger is doing what he always does and that is to piss us all off but that was expected. I have my moments Agag where i believe the world are against us but Wenger is not banned this year should we get through but we still have a couple of games so that could change. I am fairly happy with the lads a good tour with an even better win against the oilers. Of course we need good players you don’t win anything without them but we have been useing quite a few newbies and i have high hopes for them. Another year on and our new players from last year have had a season in the Premier everybody says that that is the hardest year so i wouldn’t argue with that. Wenger looks and acts relaxed but on his wages so would i. Suarez would make me feel better i am looking forward to him and Sanogo as our strike force has me wetting my lips apart from the other guys Wenger will add yes i’m optimistic 🙂

  247. agirlagunner says:

    rico, Saks Ffth Avenue is an upscale retailer of luxe stuff. Haha. 😛

    fred, and AW’s gamble could very well backfire on us. 🙁

  248. rico says:

    Afternoon fred, I was chatting to a friend earlier and said that some part of me wants us to lose so it forces Wengers hand, but he’s right, he, nor I could ever wish a loss on the team…

    I have a few other wishes though 😉

  252. rico says:

    Wenger today:

    “There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active. I cannot certify what the number [of players coming in will be], but we will be active until the end, that is for sure.”

  255. agirlagunner says:

    I must say, SSP, we did fairly well in the pre-season games. And contrary to what has been written, that was not a lucky win against the petrodollar men. I’m looking forward to getting Suarez in myself. The Jenks on loan story make no sense though. We live in hope. 😉

  256. rico says:

    That is quite spooky Ts, I asked a friend of mine earlier who he’d like to see replace AW – he said Klopp, which I like that idea, I suggested Low…

    At least Low would get more from Podolski 😉

  258. frednerk says:

    All of us would follow the arsenal down to the lower divisions,
    would’nt we.
    Once a gooner always a gooner.
    But that dos’nt mean we have to stand back,
    and let wenger & Co sqeeze the living daylights out of us..
    Dos..it.

  259. agirlagunner says:

    rico, I reckon it’s like Harrod’s. 😉

    Ginge, I’m just looking for cheap plane tix. But I should be off to visit my “spiritual home” again. Haha. 😛

    fred, it seems Fergie’s legacy lives. Squeaky bum time, indeed. Haha.

  260. rico says:

    Ah but had City taken their chances agag, it could have been so very different … Ok they didn’t but….

  262. rico says:

    So is he blaming the home fans for Gerv leaving??

    “I made that decision [to sell Gervinho] because he looked to play with a lack of confidence, especially at the Emirates,” explained Wenger in his exclusive interview on Arsenal Player.

  263. agirlagunner says:

    But rico, we pray for our team to be clinical, and they were!!

    Now, for our CL qualifiers and Villa matches to go as well.

  265. tsgh says:

    He is Rico… that should be a warning to him home fans can be powerful if he does not spend…

    Cheap flights to NY?lol

  266. stevepalmer1 says:

    Fred i don’t know how old you are but you will never see The Arsenal in the lower divisions if you live to be a hundred but you know that already don’t you. 🙂

  267. tsgh says:

    JW has been reading HH surely- “We feel we have a great squad, as we showed towards the end of last season, when we went 11 games unbeaten [after losing that game at Tottenham].
    “So if we can reproduce that form, then we have a chance. When we had to get the results, we went out there and got them, and that’s what we need to take into this season.”

  268. agirlagunner says:

    Ginge, I spent Christmas there, remember? I reeaallly liked it. 🙂 The cold, not so much. 😕

    SSP, I just read Fever Pitch again (since I have all the time in the world…. Hah) and it does put things in perspective. 😉

  269. tsgh says:

    ClassicPics ‏@History_Pics 14 Aug
    The first live televised football match; between Arsenal and Arsenal Reserves. London, 1937 pic.twitter.com/oEsxN3FoCc
    Retweeted by Geoff Arsenal
    View photo

    I do remember Agag, that is when I thought you lived in the US of A…

  271. stevepalmer1 says:

    Agag Supporters are in panic mode, but the squad we have is a good one the players sound like they are together and results thus far are pretty reasonable. Wenger is not stressed and Arsenal are making a bomb. Our supporters sometimes make me think that its our right to win trophies they moan like hell about City United and Chelsea but ultimatly they want us to turn into another buy a trophy club. although i want us to win i also like the fact that we are doing what we do without without shoving it down your throat.

  273. tsgh says:

    GoonRambler ‏@GoonRambler 5m
    Mikel Arteta out for 6 weeks injured. #afc
    Retweeted by Arsenal Action
    Expand

  275. Gtid says:

    Luiz Gustavo to German Sky Sports:”Nothing is clear with Wolfsburg. I will listen to what my agent tells me today.”

  276. tsgh says:

    Tom Acres ‏@dartfordgooner 5m
    Flamini to sign on a free tomorrow, and straight into the side to face Villa. . #WARCHEST
    Retweeted by Arsenal Action
    Expand

  277. rico says:

    I can’t deny that agag, we were on fire but they had chances too 😉

    Some thing it was so one sided but it wasn’t really was it, well, apart from the goals scored by us 🙂

  280. tsgh says:

    It’s all planned re Flamini… lol

    Sámrez Fabric Ass ‏@TheRealSamGent 4h
    A minutes applause in the 70th minute to celebrate having a £70m war chest. #AFC
    Retweeted by Renato
    Expand

  281. tsgh says:

    Gooner4life7 ‏@Gooner4Life7 1h
    Michu asked about Arsenal live on SSN ‘In football you never know, but I’m only thinking about training tomorrow’.
    Retweeted by Renato
    Expand

  282. tsgh says:

    You can’t make this up…

    Renato ‏@th14Renato 1h
    @afc_93 @sdrewfootball Sanogo out hamstring
    View conversation

  283. ktr7 says:

    Its like am watching an episode of walking dead with Arsenal…who is left?…
    Arteta out for 6 weeks …fantastic 🙁

  285. agirlagunner says:

    But SSP, it’s all so pointless when our board is going on and on about how much we have; and there is such reticence to spend. This summer, we must buy!

    Six weeks for Arteta?? No!!! Flamoney on a free? Never!!!

  288. devilgunner says:

    Flamini????

    Blooming Heck.

    Is AW for real???

    Or is it a real joke??

    April 1st is far away you know!!!

    Oh I forgot………….Good Evening fine folks.

  289. vernat1066 says:

    It is reported (caught offside) that Daniele De Rossi is going to Chelsea for 11 million, I know he is 30 but he has 91 caps for Italy and at that price we are not bidding ?? Madness, rather have him than Gustavo in the team.

  290. rico says:

    Twitter is rife with the Flamoney ‘set to sign’ – if he does, that just about sums AW’s plans up in one…

  291. ktr7 says:

    Hope the same ts.jack on the bench and if he does play as an AM.he should be nowhere near the double pivot right now.

  294. rico says:

    Jose, as much as I dislike him, isn’t spending huge amounts this summer, but then I guess he hasn’t had to with the squad he inherited….

  298. tsgh says:

    Walid Arsenal ‏@1Walid1 1h
    Wolfsburg’s general managers words is nothing new. We already know Gustavo has all sorts of offers and he has to make a decision soon.
    Expand

  303. devilgunner says:

    What is p****d off Rico?? I dont read asterisks. 😉

    If it is real that Flamini is resigned then the club is only about one thing……money. Flamini reached his apex with us before he left, but then its been up an down for him all the time.

    When I read that he was training again with us I had a small feeling that AW was trying to resign him and he offered him a trial to see where he stands.

    It will take me a lot to get around to having Flamoney again with us.

  304. rico says:

    🙂 Devil.

    I thought exactly the same when I heard he was training. He is hardly Sol Campbell or Thierry is he, he never was really…

    So typical of Arsene Wenger if he signs on, so bloody typical and that’s just why his time is up for me..

    IF Flamoney is signed and he’s our new ‘DM’…

  305. devilgunner says:

    Now if he resigned Flamoney and Cesc comes back that will be a different story.

    But Cesc costs money.

    Flamoney takes money.

    AW saves money.

    Supporters fork out the money.

  308. devilgunner says:

    I am trying to imagine Kev’s and Adam’s face when they see Flamoney in an AFC shirt again.

    If looks can kill…………….!!!!! 😉

    Someone might feel murderous come next Saturday.

  311. devilgunner says:

    If we get Flamoney and Manure get Cesc, then AW had better start to move his bedroom to the Emirates because I think that some of the crowd will be looking to lynch someone.

  313. rico says:

    Just two days time more like Devil…

    No Gjoe, not all – of course a lot is no different to the what the newspapers report, but some on twitter are close to the club…

    The Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski deals all first broke on twitter I believe, so it’s not all to be dismissed as idol gossip…

  314. Gonerjoe says:

    I still believe part of the hold up on not buying a player for our midfield is Wenger is waiting to see does he need the Money for Cesc.

  315. rico says:

    Give him no bloomin contract and go sign a player who is for now and the future, not some old has been who walked away from us for free so he could get a bumper deal in Italy…

  316. rico says:

    Cesc is staying in Spain, he’s said that himself….

    I doubt Wenger would need too much money, as I suspect Barca still owe us much of the fee….

  317. devilgunner says:

    Either there is something going on that we do not know or else those who deal with transfers at the Ems are wankers of the highest proportions.

  318. Gonerjoe says:

    Rico
    that’s 3 out of thousands it’s not good enough reason to base an attack on Arsenal’s transfer dealings ie we did not get player X because we would not meet he’s demands for cream cakes.(Santos)
    There are always exceptions a proven player twitter account.

  320. rico says:

    I think I know which of those two is my opinion Devil..

    Gjoe, do you honestly believe that most of us use that to base our opinions? Please, give us a little more credit…

    Just look at what has happened since the 1st of July, doesn’t that tell you all about our transfer dealings?

    It’s hardly the first summer that we have been let down is it?

  321. ktr7 says:

    Moyes is chasing his own tail rico.

    it seems a healthy bank balance scores goals and keeps cleansheets…

  324. Gonerjoe says:

    Rico is it worth taking the chance miss out on Cesc because we spent our transfer funds.
    I know Cesc moving is paper talk that Manu will return with 3rd offer for him.

  325. rico says:

    Gjoe, he is not for sale, if he is, AW will be the first to know and even he says he is staying in Spain..

    Cesc is history, Arsenal is the present and future and our manager should be dealing with that right now.

    Did you read about how much we have in the bank? It’s far more than £70m and enough to fund a move for Cesc IF he ever becomes available….

  328. Gonerjoe says:

    On the transfer issue I’ll wait till the window closes then I will carry out a reappraisal on whats going on at Arsenal.

  330. rico says:

    That’s all we can all do Gjoe, just a shame we were promised so much early, yet let down yet again…. Same old, same old….

  335. tsgh says:

    Wilfried Zaha ‏@wilfriedzaha 4 Dec
    “@EmanRicardo: RT @wilfriedzaha: I am a arsenal supporter but they stress me out.. – blud they make me cry”stress
    Retweeted by Renato
    Expand

  338. rico says:

    Gdna – imho it’s last chance for AW, if he fails to sign who we need then the fans will no doubt make life very very difficult for him to stay…

    Ts, if people can log onto twitter, let’s not make HH an evening on twitter comments….

  342. Gonerjoe says:

    On not getting a player early I blame Liverpool we made a perfectly reasonable offer they should have just excepted it.
    It’s what we have been doing for the last couple of seasons that’s what nice clubs like Arsenal do.

  343. rico says:

    No need Ts, honest…

    Gdna, he may just be settled in Germany, can’t knock that imho…

    Gjoe, you cannot be serious?

  344. rico says:

    Liverpool don’t have to sell to anyone, not if they choose not too. Just because we roll over for the first club that offers a good price for a player, doesn’t mean every other does the same.

    I can’t stand Liverpool, but I can’t blame them for asking £50 million for a player as clinical as Suarez.

  346. devilgunner says:

    At the moment I am asking myself what is the big reason letting Coquelin go on loan.

    We do need him.

  347. tsgh says:

    Arsenal PLC… Arsenal FC reveals new events team following 40 million pound refurbishment In a bid to improve the level of service for meetings and events,

  349. W.A.T.H says:

    Ts, that 40million is crap… AFC already saying the article is wrong mis-quoted and has way to amny zero’s…!

  350. devilgunner says:

    Arteta’s thigh is has a small tear.

    They say it will be six weeks.

    Imo Arteta will be out till late November before he can come back.

  351. rico says:

    That would be a fair price Kt, that’s what Chelsea paid for Torres and his form was nowhere near Suarez at the time…

    Good question Devil, I think AW hoped it would get us Grenier..

  355. devilgunner says:

    I do hope we get Torres for the following reasons……

    His career has stalled and we can get him firing again.

    He is used to the rigours of the EPL.

    He is used to sitting on the bench so can rotate with Giroud without grumbling.

    IMO he is still a great player.

  360. W.A.T.H says:

    IF MA8 is out for 6/8/20 weeks, Wenger will think it makes perfect sense to give Falmoney a contract…!

    Gonna be a very long and frustrating 18 days til the TW closes…! twists turns and let downs me thinks..! a great many whispers from various people saying huge rift between AW and IG and Wenger has had his nose seriously put out of joint being told to spend the transfer kitty…!

  364. W.A.T.H says:

    Day has been same shit different day Ts but life goes on mate.. hope yours been good…! Arsenal have been very quick to say those refurbishment figures are grossly incorrect Mark Gonnella is all over twitter saying the figures are several zero’s out…!

  367. ktr7 says:

    You know how sad our window is when you think if we had made those spud signings we would probably be confident of at least a title challenge 🙁

  368. tsgh says:

    Oh so the communications director actually works…lol

    I am not too bad buddy… it could be better work and all. 😉

  370. tsgh says:

    Fingers crossed we manage to get 3 points and qualify against Fenebache with what we have… with Arteta out its time to try someone new. That is how we have always found a new star. CF, Flamini…

  371. W.A.T.H says:

    KT, for me the yids have done a great job, they have bought before Bale bails on them and if for what ever reason they manage to hang on to him then they will be a decent team for sure.

    Ts, Gonnella is very on the ball on twitter and from the people I know that deal with him always very professional and does what he says. Same cannot be said of many others at the club am afraid.

  372. tsgh says:

    Its funny how Mark is quick to deny the refurb rumour but the club stay quiet on other rumours… imbeciles!

    Night all… we live to fight another day. Stay safe and Bless!

  373. W.A.T.H says:

    Rico, I don’t listen to anything wenger says anymore I can’t be arsed listening to his crap… seeing is believing…!

  375. tsgh says:

    Fair enough WATH, the club hierachy better hope the team spanks AV this weekend because people who are normally positive are becoming very crossed with the whole ill-informed lack of foresight acts of the club including Perez’s work permit refusal..

  377. Micko says:

    Devil 8.00, that just rolled off the tongue, bang on the money.
    Gonerjoe, wake up and smell the coffee.
    tsgh, did you just get a cyber slap on the wrist.
    Spectrum, come back all is forgiven.
    Wath, more chance of Wenger spending his communion money !

  379. rico says:

    You arrive just as I am off to watch Eastenders Micko, there must be something there….

    Night all, catch up tomorrow…

    I’m off to smell a cup of decaf, and drink it 😉

    ‘Til tomorrow….

  380. ktr7 says:

    If we fail to beat villa the atmosphere will become very toxic and the players will be affected.I wouldn’t blame any frustrated fan though.this summer has been complete and utter shambles from the management.you would think the way we are behaving in the market that we won the treble last season…oh wait…Bayern did but have gone for Gotze and Thiago irregardless and bar for Dortmund’s stance they would’ve bought lewandowski too.

  383. ktr7 says:

    WATH I don’t even bother listening to the man anymore.am tired of his tired cliches.i’d rather he doesn’t say a word until at least after the window closes.

  384. Micko says:

    Nite rico, Lauren needs to get her act together, that’s all I’ll say on the subject ! Treat yourself to a nice cup of hot chocolate, you deserve it.

  385. W.A.T.H says:

    KT, if you look at the whole scenario at the club in a sensible manner you have to ask yourself WTF is going on… there are no sane answers no sensible anwers and no reasons that make any sense what so ever for us not to of strengthened the squad. There is obviously some very serious issues going on behind the scenes and a blind man would of noted all the players crying out ofr decent recruitment’s to join us to raise morale and confidence let alone what it would do for the fans to have a few quality signings…! Is it the last kicks of dictator on his death bed…? There is far to much going on for us to know but what I do know is that come end of Aug we could very well be in a very very bad way if things go tits up…! I know someone will tell me it may not go tits up but what if it does…?

  386. W.A.T.H says:

    Kt, have not listened to him for a long long while, actions always speak louder than words, we are not all gullible for his twisted meanings and bullshit. I think he thinks we are all stupid and have never watched a game of football before…! Enough of him, I grasp onto that one single straw that says we’ll buy before Sep 3rd but boy oh boy it’s getting harder and harder not to be going into one…!

  387. Micko says:

    Tbh wath, even if we did sign suarez he’d only be trying to push through a move to Real in 18 months time, it’s nice to have been spared the usual shinanigans this summer for a change despite Kozzer’s agent’s best efforts.

  388. ktr7 says:

    When I try to think about our sitiuation my head hurts.I can’t for the life of me understand how a squad that barely made it to 4th,had 28 players leave the club with only 1 entry who is a free signing fail to have reinforcements to it.as intelligent a man Wenger is i can’t understand his thinking …!

  389. W.A.T.H says:

    Am with you KT, it beggars belief…!

    Micko I think if we have him tied to a decent contract and we actually buy decent players to add to the squad I think Suarez would settle BUT we need to be competing for trophies if we aint he like a few others would want to be off…! Can u blame them if the mind set don’t change..?

  391. W.A.T.H says:

    Cheers Micko take it easy mate, knows best on how to piss people off…!

    Also offski. lata KT, be good fella..!

  393. Bradster says:

    Morning all,

    How about Wenger offers Vemaelen and 35m for Suarez.
    Loans Cesar for the season.
    Buys a RB and Adil Rami just cos he’s French.
    Gives Flamini a 1 year deal cos he’s almost 30.
    Buys Kondogbia because I like him and Wenger likes Frenchies. 😉

  394. Bradster says:

    This weekend’s predicted line up by mois:
    Sczez
    Gibbs
    Merts
    Kos
    Jenks
    Ramsey Holding mid
    Wilshere second pivot
    Rosicky AM
    Pod LF
    Ox RF
    Giroud CF

  395. rico says:

    Morning all…

    Micko, she sure does, it’s looking dodgy though….

    Bradster, not sure TV would swing the deal…..

  396. potter says:

    First game tomorrow and I feel totally Arsenal’d out.
    Not really got any enthusiasm for it. Looks like a long season of not very much. Should be interesting to get the crowd reaction from the 30 odd thousand that care and how the tourist remainder react towards them.

  398. Bradster says:

    Pool will be desperate for a partner for Kolo seeing that Agger and Skertl are wanted by Napoli and Man city.

  400. rico says:

    Eleven fit outfield players is being reported Potter, should make good viewing with a great atmosphere…. Pfff

    Shocking…

  403. rico says:

    They’ll want a fit one though Bradster but I see where you are coming from – we’d need to sign two then…

    Not too many were convinced by him emma, I’m quite disappointed though…

  410. tsgh says:

    AW was with Fox and IG sorting out deals for players last night. I hope Flamini was not one of them….

    Keep the faith…

    If what we have can’t beat AV then we have no chance anyway….

  412. emma says:

    What we have at the moment can beat Aston Villa but what are the chances someone wont pick an injury?

    Would have preferred Rambo/Rosicky pivot and push Wilshere in the AM role

  415. tsgh says:

    Is TR07 fit? If he isn’t Ox will be drafted in… Frimps should be available as a sub at least.

    Believe me we will be more than fine…

  419. tsgh says:

    Ha ha Rico… 😉

    I will be surprised if it is Flamoney… the same way a few on here did not believe AW was really looking at Gustavo…

  420. emma says:

    rico – We’ve lost it if it turns out to be Flamoney. Not after the way he left. Currently he is injury prone and lost his way completely in milan

  421. rico says:

    More than fine Ts, I struggle to understand how you can honestly believe that…

    Arsenal are in a mess….

  422. vernat1066 says:

    Morning I suppose the question is this? Not is signing Flamini underwhelming (it is) but is signing him going to improve the squad does he still have the bite and desire he had when he left? If he does and is still capable of playing well enough then he is a good signing regardless of price etc… and perhaps is the reason Coquelin was let go out on loan? Sol Campbell did make a difference when he resigned after training with us (not that flamini is as good as Sol was) but anything that makes the team better is good and Flamini at his best would make our team better.

  425. rico says:

    emma – I couldn’t agree more but you and I know that’s it’s highly likely that he will be signed….

  427. vernat1066 says:

    I agree his contract should be heavily incentive driven with a basic low salary, and bonus for playing, winning etc … to provide that little extra push to achieve and succeed with a reward for doing so.

  428. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning guys.
    We need players, and we need them fast.
    I am having a bit each way here…..we all wanted the deadwood gone so can not complain, but for gods sake, we started with 70 million and now have 80, so stop working on deals and get the bloody things done!
    Rant over.
    I can not wait to see our lads tear Villa apart.
    3-1 with Aaron bagging a hat trick 🙂

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