Pat Rice. Shirt saga. Jack's growing up……

Morning all.

So the shirt snipping saga rolls on after Mathieu Flamini decided he wouldn’t follow the ‘dress of the day’ on Tuesday night. Captain Mertesacker chose to wear long sleeved shirts on the night and I’m not surprised, it’s winter, it’s chilly and it’s damp! Regardless, the French midfielder took it upon himself to chop the sleeves off as he prefers short sleeves when he’s playing.

Arsene Wenger wasn’t happy:

I do not like that and he will not do it again. I was surprised, and we don’t want that.

Why the heck he couldn’t just roll his sleeves up or push them up like most do I don’t know and it’s not the first time he’s had his wrists slapped for behaving in such a way.

Remembrance Sunday was another time – hacking away at a club shirt is bad enough but to do that to a shirt which is specially made to mark such a moment in time is a disgrace.

However, something good appears to coming out of all of this.

No doubt everyone knows that the Remembrance Day shirts are auctioned  off in order to raise money for the Royal British Legion and bids for Flamini’s shirt are soaring. To date, the bidding on his shirt stands at £2,000, which is more than Wilshere, Giroud and Cazorla’s shirts, but not high enough to eclipse the value of Ramseys shirt which is currently at a price of £10,100.

Some people probably believe that wanting to wear different shirts it’s no big deal but we are Arsenal, a club steeped in tradition and this is one of them. Flamini needs to get a grip and conform….

Two-goal hero from Tuesday has been talking about why he believes he’s finding form in front of goal:

You grow up a little bit and you relax in front of goal. There’s something that clicks when you grow and learn.

As you’ve seen with Aaron this year, you grow up a little bit and you relax in front of goal. There’s something that clicks when you grow and learn.

When you’re 19 and you’re just getting into the team you want to do well and you’re too busy trying to impress, to keep the ball, [to make sure you] don’t lose the ball and trying to fit in the team.

Once you get older and [more] comfortable, players around you trust you. You get a little bit fitter as well, you can get forward a bit more and when you’re in front of goal you’ve watched players in the past and you’ve learnt from your past mistakes. You relax and that’s the only way you’re going to do well.

It’s hard to believe having watched the way Jack despatched both goals against Marseille with such confidence, that he’d only scored six goals prior to the start of this current campaign. Hopefully, this is the start of many goals from our number 10.

He also had a word to say about those who supplied the assists for his goals:

Bac’s been doing it all season. He had another one with Theo at the end when he put him in as well. We could have scored a few goals from his crosses in Manchester, so hopefully he can keep that going for the rest of the season.

For the second goal it was really unselfish from Mesut. Sometimes after a [missed] penalty you feel like you have to score. But the player he is, he’s been in that situation before and he’s unselfishly passed it across the goal and it was an easy tap-in for me.

How true is that eh. Many times we see footballers miss a penalty or another sitter in front of goal and they are so desperate to make up for an error that they become blind to those around them in a better position when the next chance to score comes along. Sometimes they take their chance, sometimes that chance goes begging as they are still filled with fury after missing the previous opportunity so credit to Mesut Ozil.

And of course to Bacary Sagna who does keep supplying the crosses week in week out, all we need to do is start putting a few more into the back of the net….

Finally, reports have come out overnight stating that Pat Rice has been admitted to hospital with Cancer.

Be strong big man, be strong.....
Be strong big man, be strong…..

This evil b*****d disease spares no thought to who it attacks, otherwise why would it pick on such a good guy and have already taken the lives of so so many good, honest and wonderful people.

On behalf of Highbury House, I want want to pass on my very best wishes to Pat Rice and pray he has the fight and strength in him to beat this evil disease.

Be strong big man, be strong, you may have a fight ahead of you, but it’s one you can win…..

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family…..

That’s it from me for another day….

0 thoughts on “Pat Rice. Shirt saga. Jack's growing up……

  1. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady, Sir Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Poor Pat. Sickening isnt it. And as you said Rico. it spares no one, not even hard working, honest and nice people.

    Nice post.

  2. Scott from Oz says:

    One of your absolute best, Rico, and that truly is saying something.
    Morning all.
    Gooners worldwide will be fighting in Pats corner.

  3. HenryB says:

    Terrific Post Rico,

    I was shocked to hear the news about Pat, and having lost family members to that awful disease, like so many of us have, I know the effect it will be having on his family too.

  4. Scott from Oz says:

    He has played fullback, and effectively.
    Wing…not so great, but is a much better player now.
    He creates goals.
    Scores them.
    Defends.
    Can you think of a more versatile player at the club?
    Not even close, imo.

  5. c2hills says:

    Ox can play as the b2b part of the double pivot and across the 3 AM positions convincingly. Even Jack, to a certain extent.

  6. HenryB says:

    c2hills,

    That is an interesting question and comment about who is our most versatile player.

    I would agree with you that being able to play in a lot of positions is a pointer to versatility, but an average player could also play in a number of positions and not disgrace himself, but not be the best player in any of them.

    Versatility calls for someone with a wide range of skills and in football terms that would presumably include pace, goal scoring ability, good tackling, heading and leadership.

    That’s why it is a good question —- and deserves a Poll to see who everyone thinks is the most versatile and why. 🙂

  7. c2hills says:

    Thanks HenryB. Its a sign of how the squad has grown that we can be talking about things like this. And yes, being versatile entails those things you and Scott mentioned.

  8. Scott from Oz says:

    I think every player has their best position, so even a versatile guy must be a question mark playing a different position in a big game.
    It is a good question, and though i have always rated Ramsey, i didn’t just throw him up without thinking….he is versatility personified, imo.

  9. rico says:

    Giroud, centre forward, centre back, centre midfield, left wing, right wing and anywhere else he pops up during a game 😉

    Morning all, thanks re the post…

  10. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all, nice one Rico.
    Certainly bad news about Pat, i wish him well in his fight, and also cancer research who i know has been fighting to cure this dreadful desease since i was old enough to know what cancer was. Personally i think the millions that have been donated for as long as i can remember to this cause should have found a cure by now but if we cannot cure the common cold maybe its asking too much. Mertsacker can say anything he likes about Mesut Ozil thats up to him but Arsenal are where they are because of supporters support i feel that a penalty miss is important,, I know many profesionals miss penalties and its not the end of the world, but if your going to miss a penalty at least look as if your trying, as the next one may be in a final in the last minute, supporters would never forget then. On the long sleeve short sleeve issue, Hacking at a shirt is wrong, supplying a short sleeved shirt should be normal.. Watching many other teams in the league, i have noticed that many wear short sleeved shirts but also wear long sleeved lycra shirts under them why doesn’t the captain pick short shirts and let people choose for themselves or just supply one short sleeved shirt.even easier. As for one or two comments on what determines the best player, personally i don’t care how many positions any said player can play, i am more concerned that said player can play one position well.. There are 11 positions on the field and we have about 25 players i would think that it would be best if we had the best 11 that can play the position best in, and in the case of injury another can cover. As for the best player it has to be Ozil as he cost the most, He better get better soon.

  11. c2hills says:

    Yes, everyone has his best position but those who are truly versatile in the world class sense like Ramos, Lahm can play two or more positions in any game without a drop in quality. For the players I mentioned above, I can count two positions but for ours, I’m going beyond two. We seem to have some great young players in our fold.

  12. tsgh says:

    Excellent post …

    My prayers are with Pat. News such as this puts things in perspective. Football is nothing but a distraction and should only be seen as that imho…

    Now AW win the league for the most loyal number 2/Assistant Manager in football history. 😉

    Morning all btw

  13. c2hills says:

    SP1, dunno what Per said but concerning MO looking as if he is trying, I think you’ll find that’s how he plays ie, as if disinterested/uninterested (take your pick, ‘m without a dic/thesaurus). Regards players, its not the best we’re talking about, its the most versatile. Those who can play different positions without noticeable difference. It gives an indication why some players are in the matchday squad.

  14. emma says:

    Morning all,
    Get well soon Pat Rice
    Sp – The bad news is we might not see the best of ozil probably till next season. Good news is he will progressively improve as the season goes by.
    In terms of versatility I concur with scott, it’s RAMSEY

  15. devilgunner says:

    Oyyy Steve…….

    yes we might have 25 players who can play in more than one position. And I agree with your assertion in that they play it well.

    But my concern is not whether they can play it well…..my concern is how many of them are footballers. Any person can be a player. But not every player is a footballer.

  16. devilgunner says:

    In a nutshell you are all saying what I said and predicted a couple of years ago……………….the aim of AW is to create hybrid footballers who can play multiple positions. That means 5 defenders and 5 advanced forwards who can attack you from all angles. Its a throwback to the Chapman era……3 out and out defenders with 3 half backs in front of him, and two inside forwards with three attackers. Cesc was the prototype. Now Aaron and Jack are two such players.

  17. tsgh says:

    Hiya C2h..

    TR07 is also versatile but he can’t play RB like Ramsey. lol

    Another lethargic player is Aneke; he is probably the best player the academy has produced but because of his size he now has to learn to apply himself. Its a shame AW does not seem interested in playing him.

    Maybe he should have joined Barcelona when he had the chance instead of showing loyalty to us at 16 years. 😉

  18. c2hills says:

    DG, by footballer I reckon you mean those whose primary quality is teamwork as opposed to those who want to express themselves first and then serve the team (CR7?).

  19. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Ginge.

    I think it was Afobe who was on the verge of joining Barca at 16 but instead showed loyalty to us and not Aneke

  20. Scott from Oz says:

    I am thinking i know very, very little about football….you all probably agree 🙂
    I only watched the Marseille game on replay, and maybe things changed between the live game and the replay, but i thought Ozil was terrific.
    He is class personified.
    Plenty around the net are criticising him…not just you Steve :)…..
    But i really do not understand it.
    So much comes from his subtle touches….movement…..his attracting defenders.
    42 million?
    Hey, we are top of the League and only brought him, so how can we question his value to the side?

  21. stevepalmer1 says:

    When talking about versitivity in players, very hard to do this accuratley. Theo Walcott for instance right sided midfielder striker i dont know how to describe him. Personally i feel his best position for his level of skill is down the wing, but Theo see’s himself as a CF Now Theo is not one of my favourites as he never stays on the wing he doesn’t take on the fullback and he cannot cross to save his life. he does very little to help out Sagna and he doesn’t tackle. he is never behind Giroud to pick up on any flicks and he never challenges anywhere on the pitch. I am forever reading supporters saying he gives us width but he never stays there while players like Sagna is is giving his all down the flanks crosses many decent crosses and busts a gut to get back and defend his position. Sadly Sagna has reached the age of only recieving a year only contract but personally i would rather him than Theo who also earns nearly double What Sagna gets.I would always use Gnabry or the Ox Instead but AW likes speed so thats that.

  22. Scott from Oz says:

    The best i have ever see Theo play was in between the striker and wing….an inside right, if you like.
    It was the second half v Spuds when we whacked them 5-2 and he bagged a few goals.
    He was absolutely world class for 45 minutes.
    I do not mean that in a derogatory way…it showed he can do it.

  23. tsgh says:

    On Ozil, what will be defined as being an improvement? He can get better for sure but I doubt he will ever be seen as a Mr consistent at least in the short term.

    Even at RM, he had patches were he was world class and uninterested in the same game. The reason why he was almost always subbed.

    He appeasr he play better for Germany…

    Ozil reminds me of Kanu and to a lesser extent Berbatov and Ashavin. Things are so easy for them on the pitch it appears annoying.

    The question as always comes to why they wanted to play football in the first place.

    Rooney talked about how Ronaldo always wanted to be in the best possible shape and be the best player in the world; note there is a difference because most footballers want to be the best they can be…

    Another player who I have heard him say he wants to be the best is Diaby but we know how the story is unfolding… 😉

    With him if money was his motive he would have quit years ago and taken his insurance money but his ambition keeps him going no matter how many times he BREAKS DOWN….

  24. c2hills says:

    Scott, the thing with MO is he is so selfless both on and off the ball in a way most epl watchers are not used to. No running around diving into tackles, no dribbling unless absolutely necessary add his laid-back attitude, and you’d think he is almost useless. All this shows, is how we look at football, how we think a player should play. He’s the ultimate team player imo.

  25. Scott from Oz says:

    Ozil in 12 months time….that is the version i can not wait to see, because he will be even better.
    I want to see him with a fully fit Theo and Podolski.
    They will be swamped with chances.

  26. stevepalmer1 says:

    I hold my hands up and will go along with the majority about Mesut Ozil. You Guys are watching this guy as i am, every game he plays i hear you guys saying just how wonderful he is, now i am far from a tactical genius so i can only assume that you are right, and i will wait it out and see him voted Arsenals best player meanwhile i will buy a book that shows me what i should be looking for as i am obviously talking out of my arse at the moment. I thought penalty kicks was almost like giving you a goal but now i realise that if you let Mesut take it and miss its not that inportant, i think i have been looking at football the wrong way, i promiss to study more.

  27. tsgh says:

    c2h, you are flattering Theo by mentioning Messi and Ronaldo in the same sentence 😛

    Theo has no holistic view of football as yet. Theo can be compared to maybe Andrei Kanchelskis or Babel during his time at Ajax before he joined the dippers..

  28. Scott from Oz says:

    Hang on Steve, i never said he is our best player at present.
    I reckon his biggest asset is making other players look better.
    Penalties……Cesc missed some, RSP, Arteta, Podolksi.
    Actually, i like the way Giroud takes them though.
    I do not like this stutter step shit.
    Hit it firm, wide and hansome 🙂

  29. c2hills says:

    No one is saying missing a penalty is a good thing but, its just one. If it was a recurring theme then we can get on his back. What if he had let that get to him and ruin the evening for himself and the team? I think we should give him credit for that. Cesc once missed a penalty against City but we still won 3-0.

  30. tsgh says:

    On Diaby, I know he is not everyone’s cup of tea but graets such as Djoukaeff, Zidane, Rijkaard, Viera and Platini think he would have been considered one of the best players if it wasn’t for his injuries…

  31. tsgh says:

    What I like about Theo and I have said it a million times on here… he is the the original big game player we have in our squad.

    Scott, Theo has had injuries which the media seem to forget and so he may have missed the learning at key points in his development. He has 2 attributes, speed and his finishing… the question is without speed what will he be?

  32. c2hills says:

    I’ll flatter our players ginge. Thats why I support them. On a serious note though, he is not doing badly considering his limited skills that even AW touched on. Instead of developing him as a youth player, the academies he was in used him to win matches.

  33. stevepalmer1 says:

    C2hills thanks for that insight, as i had got that wrong as well. But i was right about him not being that good then.

  34. tsgh says:

    Good point C2H, …’Instead of developing him as a youth player, the academies he was in used him to win matches.’ that is our academy as a whole.

  35. Scott from Oz says:

    Ginge, that is academies everywhere.
    I am the luckiest dad around.
    Ok, i have a kid with a love and real talent for the game, but his academy and the Football school he will attend next year are ALL about the player of the future.
    Results…. Not a second thought on them.

  36. Bob John says:

    Just heard the terrible news about Pat Rice. Arsenal man through and through. Not the most talented but always gets in my best ever 11 for his attitude and dedication to the club. Remember the 1979 FA Cup semi v Wolves when we were all deflated after the team was announced with Steve Gatting replacing the injured Liam Brady. It was Pat who came over and raised the fans and we went on to win 2-0 and to beat the Mancs in the legendary final. Get well soon legend!

  37. BrainwashedKev says:

    Afternoon All
    Afternoon Rico. Great post.

    Flamini could play anywhere, he’s my Mr Versatile…

    The comments from Jack were superb and show once again the unity of spirit in our squad.
    Everyone is pulling for everyone.

    Monreal & Vermaelen could be kicking up a stink for not getting a game. But footballers are not as stupid as the Media would have us believe.
    Our players can see that this squad is at a point where it could take off and not only be successful, but dominate the EPL for the next 7 to 10 years.

  38. stevepalmer1 says:

    Ok point taken Scott. 🙂
    Arsenal Football club is all i think about when i think football. Since this blog started i realised that lots of other guys were also as mad on Arsenal as me, together we have seen many years of disappointments and as we know, we know more than Arsene will ever know. We have been treated to some wonderfull players over the years, we have seen favourites sold under our noses we have seen lesser players recruited in their places but what we do as supporters is try and imagine these lesser players as better than what they are because they wear that red and white kit. I am sure that with the squad of players we have at the moment you would prefer different line ups for certain games, you would probably sell some of our players as they would never fit in the team of your choice. For me obviously not knowing much about football i would have offloaded Bendtner Diaby, but if i speak the truth i would also have gotten rid of Mertsacker as his lack of pace was an issue for me Giroud also would have gone as his lack of pace was also a concern. Thinking about that now i may have made a mistake as Merts has fitted in quite well and Giroud also has shown his workrate is up there with the best but i still would have sold them because i still think that Merts lack of pace is woeful and Giroud will never outsprint a full back. Of course the players i would have recruited may not had shown the heart as much as those two but i could work on that with them Merts and Oli’s speed is never going to come, Walcott would have gone when he demanded 100 grand a week he also told Wenger he was playing in the wrong position Wenger decided to pay him and keep him I wouldn’t have done. Walcott is a passenger i wouldn’t allow any passengers. I watched United last night they were fabulous they fought for every ball they are a phsyical side and they were direct and very fast and they score that is the style i like and i would have liked to see that style at Arsenal, while our players hate to tackle they retreat and pack in numbers so a breakaway is almost inmpossible thats just my view of course, you would see it different.

  39. Scott from Oz says:

    Steve, i love your passion mate.
    You have rants…we all do…but they are heartfelt and not simply to have a whinge, and that is why i always respect your opinion,even if i don’t agree with it.
    We had to keep Theo at that time because another name player leaving would have been a catastrophe.
    I reckon that was the main reason.

  40. emma says:

    sp – Did you watch the united vs cardiff? Yesterday was one match and it was the best I have seen united play. Leverkusen made it easier for them playing woefully in the defence. I would love to see us play the arsenal way rather than the united way. Affording Giggs and kagawa space which they won’t get in the premiership was insane by Leverkusen. On yesterday’s showing Marseille is stronger than Leverkusen

  41. emma says:

    ‘ our players hate to tackle they retreat and pack in numbers so a breakaway is almost impossible’

    I still remember that ramsey is the best tackler in the PL except that has changed in the last 24hrs

  42. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon Emma, yes i did watch that game as well and your right they did play their best last night. Arsenal Played a very bad French side it has to be said and we showed absolutley no killer form. Arsenal was pittyful i hate to say it but we were woeful. Many will say that 3 points is all that matters and i have to say that is true but when i see my side play like that it hurts i can see ten goals and they pass the ball backwards all game. I am not as convinced as Sir AK that our team can dominate for many seasons to come as i don’t think we can match City Chelsea United I cannot see our style beating these clubs and we bottle to easy. Now that hurts me to say that about my team but someone has to say it because we wont win anything while we believe that goals missed is ok in my eyes its never ok.

  43. emma says:

    sp – I bet if we had won 10nil you still wont be satisfied 😉
    It was a match we had to win irrespective of the scoreline as it won’t have any bearing on the final round of matches. Glad we didn’t have to break sweat to beat marseille.

  44. stevepalmer1 says:

    Emma i think your having a go at me 🙂 i would have moaned if we had won 10 nill and missed ten penalties but thats just me, 🙂

  45. stevepalmer1 says:

    Last night i heard pundits say that United’s reputation had intimidated their oponants i believe that because we crumbled under the same intimidation and we have seen it for years. In fact our players go sick just the thought of facing united we crumbled against Chelsea Christ knows what’s going to happen against city but lets see what Cardif will do for us first.

  46. emma says:

    sp – 😆

    Don’t worry sp1 this team will get better and better as the season progresses. All our players are peaking at the right moment. We look defensively solid, well organised and difficult to beat. Hopefully we get the first troph(ies)y in this year and this could serve as a springboard for many more.

  47. emma says:

    Before the start of this season I said we have a solid base of a good team, add 3 players to that and we are in dreamland of trophies. We’ ve added 2(flamini, ozil) and I believe we can still win 1 or 2 trophies The 3rd hopefully next summer will be a quick mobile striker to compliment Giroud and we will be singing ‘Halleluia’ ;). My worry now is Sagna hopefully we extend his contract. Jenks and bellerin are not ready at the moment. Jenks needs to be playing consistently to improve and be at the top as he’s still got a lot to learn.

  48. BrainwashedKev says:

    Personally I luv the impact that Mesut Ozil has had on the club.

    Before he joined us, I did read a piece about his tendency to drift out of games.
    Some fans criticized him for being lazy, and then he sparks to life, creates chances and wins us games…

    I guess he is like Marmite, you either like him or you don’t…

    I have a very good friend who had a similar view of Giroud…

    And as Steve says, I’ve read many criticizing BFG…
    It’s all a matter of taste I suppose….

    Atm I like all of our squad, with the exception of Bendtner…

  49. stevepalmer1 says:

    Emma i seriously hope you and Ak are right i really do. that would make my year. I look at My team and yours as well ( 🙂 ) of course and i see too many flaws Ozils signing has been a lift i would agree on that But Suarez would have sent me in raptures. Thats the position i feel should have been filled. Wenger won’t be able to buy a top quality CF in this window so Podolski will have to suffice and i can see that as our downfall. Christ i hope i’m wrong. Off out catch you later

    Missed you now Scott goodnight mate sleep well. Dream of Rambo’s goals going in mate, 🙂

  50. BrainwashedKev says:

    This cup of tea, that I am drinking, whilst parked outside Heals, close to Natuzzi, is simply delicious….

    Heals have some interesting items in it’s window display…
    Agag would be impressed….

    I thought that Giroud had a monster game against Southampton, both in attack and defence….
    Fortunately he is as strong as an Ox….

  51. emma says:

    sp1- I disagree with you on podolski. He was one of our better performers(ramsey, ox, Podolski) during the preseason and early stage of the league before his injury. Last season he was adjusting to the league just like it took Mert, a season and half before he finally got there. I felt Podolski was on his way there and then the injury. Hopefully he gets back to full fitness quick enough. I still see him as our most clinical striker with a thunderbolt of a shot

  52. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, all!! I am happy to take it one game at a time. And we’ve been winning plenty, I’m not gonna moan. I’m done with the pretty losses; I like the ‘workmanlike’ wins.

    Sad to hear about Pat Rice; I hope he’s cancer-free soon!

  53. tsgh says:

    Hi Agag.

    Emma- Ramsey has always been one of the best tackler in the league;

    I have posted a few stats in the past comparing him with players such as Martinez and Fellaini; but stats does not tell the true story I get told 😉 😛
    Even this season he has made more tackles than Flamini per every single game both have featured in…

    IF Medel the best tackler now?

  54. agirlagunner says:

    What is Heals, Kev?

    Hello, emma. I agree with all your points; not least the one on Podolski, I think we are to see the best of him yet. Love the energy about him, and how he takes such effort to “be” Arsenal. If what we’ve seen of him is just 80% to 90% as AW says, then I cannot wait for the 100%.

  55. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, Ginge. Ramsey has improved by leaps and bounds, even ESP would be impressed. Where is that ESP these days?? 😀

  56. agirlagunner says:

    Hahaha, Mrs. Adam won’t like that. 🙂 The only thing I miss about not having work is the Christmas bonus. 😀

  57. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, I have been out of work since August. 😕 I really must find one soon, but I have also been away traveling.

  58. Adam says:

    I wouldn’t bother Agag. I think being jobless suits you and you are still a teenager, so there’s plenty of time. 🙂

  59. agirlagunner says:

    Lol! Sometimes, I’m told I speak like one. 😛 I wish I were a web developer/graphic design artist so I can work from home. What I have instead is a rather pointless skill set. 😕

    I wish Sagna would also sign da ting. I think our club is right on the cusp of something really special and it wouldn’t do to lose a player with experience like his.

  60. Adam says:

    I agree. The foundation for good things are in place and it’s up to Arsene to build on those, carefully but strongly.

  61. agirlagunner says:

    Adm, I’d like ready-made striker- Lew or Suarez. 😀 😀 Or Reus who can slot in midfield or the wings or be converted to an attacker. 🙂

  62. agirlagunner says:

    We’d be winning everything with another top, top, top striker. 🙂

    Injury update from the dotcom:

    on the team news for Cardiff…
    No, nothing is different from Marseille really. We have no injuries. Of course we have some little concerns. People were a little bit rested like Arteta but they are all available now.

    on Gibbs..
    Kieran Gibbs was sick but he has already recovered yesterday. He is now back in the squad.

    on Podolski’s progress…
    It will be three weeks until we could see him in the team.

    on Oxlade-Chamberlain…
    it will be the New Year for him.

  63. BrainwashedKev says:

    Every time I read a fitness report on Lukasz Podolski, it’s ‘another three weeks’… 🙁

    It was ‘another three weeks’ three weeks ago… 😐

  64. agirlagunner says:

    Kev, maybe three weeks ago the update was for him to return to training. The latest update ought to be when he is in the squad. 😕

  65. potter says:

    So Yennaris at Bournemouth and Bellerin at Watford, two young right backs getting until the January window to see if we need to buy to replace Sagna or whether the product coming through behind Jenks will be good enough.

  66. MO11 says:

    Hope you all are good and all the best to Pat Rice a true legend and fighter.

    Anyone heard about the possible signing of Vadillo apparently it is said we have agreed everything and its just paperwork to confirm and the deal is worth 16.5M

  67. rico says:

    Ha ha Kev, not had those for years…

    That’s not much time for them potter..

    I bet they get very little playing time..

    Now now agag 😉 Night to you…

  68. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning guys.
    Another day of battle ahead.
    Damn, customers are getting more difficult all the time…bloody internet has us all believing we are smarter than we actually are 🙂
    So many are rude from the moment we meet, hoping to intimidate a better price out of me.
    I just smile and whack a few hundred on.
    Rant over 🙂

  69. BrainwashedKev says:

    Hi Adam, sorry I missed ya.

    There seems to be a lot of talk linking Arsenal, to two La Liga youngsters, but if reports are correct, top top quality youngsters…

    Antonio Sanabria, 17, is a name that has cropped up a few times over the last year or so.
    Apparently the Paraguay international (3 caps) has a buy-out clause of £2.5m, which will secure his services from our old pals from Barcelona…
    The big question is, how big a bung does his agent require???

    Alvaro Vadillo, 19, (the new Cristiano Ronaldo) is apparently a done deal (yawn)…
    €20m/£16.5m seems to be the price to prise him away from Real Betis…

  70. BrainwashedKev says:

    Edison Cavani for €50m is another peach of a rumour.
    Apparently Wenger has asked him to take a pay cut to smooth the deal…
    Yeah right!!!

  71. Gavin oz says:

    Hi gunners all over the world. Kev I looked up Alvaro Vadillo on Wikipedia seems he has signed for us .You know how reliable they are HA ha.

  72. Rogerbij says:

    Hi all, first time commenter, long time reader.

    On Flaminis shirt, I actually back him on this. He is not cutting the sleeves off his shirt just to annoy Vic, and he surely doesnt intend to insult the traditions of the club as his is clearly committed to the team.

    When I played I hated long sleeves. The air doesnt flow through the shirt through the sleeves and I would feel like Im overheating. And I hated overheating, as it could even affect my thinking. Im sensitive to heat. Rolling sleeves up is not an option as it also doesnt allow air to flow through the sleeves. If this is how Flamini feels, Im with him. I want him to perform, and being comfortable in your gear is part of this.

    Exceptions should be made. Noone even noticed Flamini cut his sleeves on TV until afterwards because the shirt was to be auctioned. Follow traditions and promote them, but this should not be a straightjacket when a player feels strongly about this for his comfort and performance.

    All the best to Pat.

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