Just a bit of food for thought today.
I know over the past couple of transfer windows many here had hoped that Wenger would sign a few of the up and coming, or experience German footballers, Mesut Ozil is one that springs to mind prior to him joining Real Madrid. We all know a HH regular hoped that Marcel Schmelzer would have been snapped up in the summer too… 😉
Seriously, I don’t think as many German players have been linked to us over the years as they are right now.
Three off the top of my head are:
Marco Reus: a 22 year old, 5′ 11″ attacking midfielder who currently plays for Borussia Monchengladbach.
Mario Gotze: a 19 year old, 5′ 9.5″ attacking midfielder who currently plays for Borussia Dortmund
Kevin Grosskreutz: a 23 year old, 6′ 1″ winger/striker who also plays for Dortmund.
The latter has supposed to have said:
If I do ever leave Dortmund, I would like to go to the Premier League in England, and my favorite club there is Arsenal.
Ok, he goes on to say he’s happy where he is but to be honest, he can’t really say anything else can he about being happy where he is? What would Dortmund think if he didn’t?
Added to the above, when Wenger was asked about his interest in Grosskreutz, he didn’t deny it!
Ok, I am sure I’ve missed one or two recent German players linked to us but I’m sure you will let me know. 😉
Wenger has ‘done’ Africa, he’s still ‘doing’ France and no doubt always will, he touched on Brazil again with the signing of Santos and despite Cesc leaving us, he took a risk on another couple of young Spaniards. Of course he also signed an older one so he won’t be leaving us in his prime; he’s pretty much passed that.
He also nabbed another couple of Englishman in Jenkinson and Chamberlain, two crackers in my own opinion.
However, he’s not really been a manager that has stepped into the German market – we bought Jens Lehman, Stefan Malz and Moritz Volz but I don’t recall too many more, do you?
If there were, they certainly didn’t hit the Arsenal headlines. 😉
My point is, since Per Mertesacker signed for us in the summer, speculation and rumour about Wenger scouting German players has increased hugely but is it just that, or do all these stories hold a touch of truth?
Having scouted many countries, is Wenger about to ‘hit’ Germany?
Are we soon to see one or two the future of the German International side plying their trade in North London?
If we are, it has to be a good thing doesn’t it?
So, back to the real question, did Arsene Wenger sign Mertesacker for the player, or has he been shrewd along the way and hope that by signing him, other German players will want to follow in his path?
Is our big German just the sprat, with Wenger out to catch his mackerel?
Either way, the big fella is doing pretty well isn’t he?
Just a thought….
Morning all…..
I see Coq has said, ‘play me or i am off’ – i bet he’s disapointed that Song isn’t going to the ACON, he may have got his chance then…
Morning good people……off to read the post.
Hi rico, I like lecoq I think he has the potential to be a massive player for us in the future. If he does leave I wish him the best. I ll bear him no grudge. He needs to play
Hi goonster, i like Coq too, he’s a little terrier but he is still young, if he goes, so be it I guess….
I’m sure it won’t be until the summer though if he does as Frimps will be missing in Jan/Feb – and if we are to get M’vila, it wouldn’t matter anyway 😉
Loan Le Coq out prem side or to a good championship side.
Bolton could do with him TT….
AA has been talking again, he’s not a happy chappie sat on the bench….
There is no quick-fix to the problem of being glued to the bench 🙂
Who would blame him? These guys need to play rico. Ashavin is a shadow of the player that terrorized the dutch defense all those years ago. He’s world class!
Hi bsnb, how’s you….
Seems AA is stuck there with super glue….
goonster, he is class but only when it suits him..
Morning all, nice one rico, we have had Scotch Irish French why not Germans. personally i feel that players of the same nationality blend well together although our own National team seems to refute this but horses for courses, be a shame to lose coq i had a soft spot for him Arsh can go in my mind don’t think with his age that he has a lot to offer us I would like a few more Englishmen but i cant see that happening.
Goonster he “was” world class. Everyone points to 1 game in Arsenal shirt where he was outstanding and scored 4 goals, no one mentions that he gave away 2 goals in the same game by not tracking back.
Only an individual that performs for the team can truly be classed as a world class and AA has never come across as player that will go out and attend to his defensive duties as well as his attacking ones since he came an Arsenal player. I only have to point to Messi as an example of a world class player and his off the ball work rate.
Coquelin is suffering from the Cesc / Jack/ Szczesney syndrome. Their elevation to first team at such young ages has raised the expectations of the other youngsters.Probably also his advisors want to see a quicker route to their percentage that will inevitably come as he is a very good prospect. He needs a good loan but because of the A.C.N .unless we buy, he will be Song’s understudy for the rest of this season. Hopefully he will get some time against Citeh and this will convince him to calm down and wait a little longer.
Hi Steve, thanks – how about a mix of British, German and Belguim – and of course a little bit of Dutch 😉
Bloody big sprat….morning all!
Hi potter
I have read suggestions that Song is not going to renew his contract, i don’t know when that is due but if the suggestions are true, Coq may get his chance sooner than he thinks.
Personally, I’d rather we bought a player who would get stuck in more, a player who will have more about him in the air and win a few of battles in midfield that we are losing…..
I think it was Steve who mentioned about how we don’t really challenge in the air and he’s spot on…
M’vila springs to mind… 😉
There was a time i would have left the ‘s’ off Lee 😉
morning to you….
Its really quite surprising that everyone talks about dm’s without mentioning a very good one who we might be able to get without breaking our transfer record. Jan Vertonghen. Yeah i know he’s primarily a cb but he plays at dm quite regularly. He’s good in the air, has a thunderous strike and decent passing range. Also, we tend to forget bartley plays at dm for rangers quite often.
i would just like to say even though we might not have signed many german international player but we have signed some players who built careers in the german league, eg hleb and rosicky. Up The Arsenal 🙂
Hi addy and Ade
addy, i think he has been mentioned here before, when we were linked to him not long after TV signed…
Ade, good point, but the point i’m trying to make is whether or not AW, having bought from many other countries in the past, is now about to bring in German players, i hope he is….
I’m off for a bit guys, back later….
One problem is that German players seems to be only heading for Bayern Munich. And they seems to be the only club for them. Take for example, Manuel Neuer from their bitter rival.
German football now laid their fate on Munich which in some way is detrimental to German football.
If anyone noticed, ever since Klinsmann’s batch, there are far and few German players keen to venture out of their country. I seriously wonder what is holding them back sometimes.
Morning Gooners [just about].
Great post Rico.
Serge Gnarby, 17, midfield.
Another kid around 15 or 16 is on our books i believe. A centre-back by the name of Siemann.
There the only other Jerries at the club.
TT ashavin’s game was never built on tracking back. He needs to be in the opponents half at all times. He can cause serious damage with his runs, a good shot and unpredictability. Remember the super cup against manure a couple of seasons ago. He literally tore them to shreds. Lest we forget whom we are talking about. Arshavin was dubbed the “russian messi”. How of us wet our pants the day he was signed. I have clips of him back in his zenit days where he rip opposing teams apart, ALONE! play him in his preferred role for 10 games in a row before we start calling him shit!
*how many of us wet…
Goonster it’s what is required off the player that matters. Messi is all about scoring goals and assists……but when he does not have the ball he is chasing it. A team like Arsenal depends on attacking and defending like a unit as our CB’s are so high up the pitch and our fullbacks act like wing backs. Therefor if the front line does not close down and break up play we are screwed. If AA is a part of that front line he needs to put in the work and close down and cover the fullback when needed.
Afternoon Stan.
Arshavin is a bit of an enigma.
A lazy git.
But when he decides to play, that boy can play.
The thing is Stan, where Arsenal are at present, is still trying to recover from the worst start to a season for 58 years.
We cannot afford to carry anyone.
And at times, Andrei can be a bit of a luxury player!
As far as Coquelin is concerned.
Well, there’s no news, so a good time for our ‘mates’ at the Press to dig up a bit of anti-Arsenal rubbish.
Coquelin may go out on loan at the end of January.
Wow, STOP PRESS, big news.
Doesn’t mean he’s gonna leave, just means he wants some games.
He’ll still be an Arsenal player in 9 months time when pre-season 2012/13 is in full swing.
Hi ya kev, I totally get that folks want him to pull his own weight defense wise but no one should ever question his class! A lot of people who hvavent kicked a ball their whole lives ll come on here and spout all kinds of crap. If utilized in his preferred position arshavin can a “bergy-type” player for us. He’s that skillful!
Tell me about it AK the media just loves to paint us as a club in crisis. They ve been waiting for us to implode but so far they ve been disappointed. Am sure all coquelin said was he wants to play regularly and might leave on loan in january yet the dumb media are trying to create a mini crisis by stating he wants to leave. What tossers!
I don’t disagree with ya Stan [Good Grief I’m Doing It Again…. Help 😯 ].
But seriously, We aren’t out of the hole we got ourselves into, and have a lot of catching up to do.
Wenger NEEDS a committed XI, and that’s the whole eleven attacking and defending.
I thought Arshavin had a great game in the Carling Cup against Bolton, playing in the No.10 position you advocate.
But in the EPL we still to grind-out the results awhile longer.
Maybe all the way to May.
Exactly Stan, they’ll never let up trying to undermine the fans, the club, the manager.
Hahahahaha kev, you ve been agreeing with me a lot lately. You feeling ok man?
Stan, look at the way the Press are trying to distablise RVP.
We’re gonna have that crap all season, just as we got with Nasri & Cesc.
There’s strong rumours of Ferguson flogging Vidic, but do the Press give it the ‘United in Crisis’ bollox?
No, of course not.
Hahaha Stan.
I must have forgotten to take my pills again mate.
Stan, i’ve got a few jobs to do mate.
I’ll catch up with ya lata.
Now you re freaking me out! Stop it man. Stop agreeing already! What happened to the kev that disagrees with me on a regular basis. Hmmmmm are you sure you re not an impostor. Perhaps the real AK have been kidnapped by space alien dudes….hahaha
Arshavin suffers from not playing in his proper position, remember he was the feed for Shevchenko but sticking him on the wing and asking him to do the things that he can;t is unrealistic.Yes I would like him to cover more but he does challenge for the ball high up however don’t expect too many lung busting runs from box to box to defend . he isn’t that player and if that’s what we wanted then he should not have been bought.
You don’t buy a Ferrari to do the school run.
Anyone else having problems with the site?.I have to keep ducking out and reloading and the page is just full of pictures clouding the script.
spot on potter. Couldn’t have put it better myself. Why buy him if you re gonna waste him on the wings! Theo too is suffering from the same problem. Hope wenger sorts this out pronto or we might be losing a few talented players next season!
Happened a couple of times to me potter but its stable now. I remember rico complaining too yesterday.
Hello!
We only can line-up with 11 in each game…
Why Coquelin must be loan on January? Fripong goes to CAN, Gervinho and Chamack either… we always have, in average, 6-7 players injuries or suspend, and in December/anuary/Februry with two games a week this number can raise, what it’s the justification?
Afternoon….
What’s in the news??
They arent German but we signed Hleb from Stuttgart and Rosicky from Dortmund so Wenger has always had an eye on the goings on over there. I think Wenger is aware there is a real plethora of German talent coming through at the moment, particularly in the Dortmund and Bayern teams. Neuer, Muller, Ozil, Goetze…Its looking bright for German football, lets get a piece of the pie
Hi AK, Manure don’t need Vidic anymore, they have a few kids to step up 😉 Mind you, I don’t think Rio will be with them for much longer either…
Welcome Jeremy, sorry for the delay in letting you out of moderation.. all comments will go straght on now….
Just seen the ladies won again yesterday and are now in the CL quarter finals….. pretty good eh…
Manure don’t need vidic anymore? Where did you get that rico? I can’t find any link to that story. Where’s your source?
Afternoon Rico.
I like that Marco Reus, he looks a real all-action attacking midfielder.
And we do need a few goals from midfield.
Hi JB, welcome, someone else also mentioned Hleb and Rosicky earlier, like you say, let’s get a peice of the pie, i think we could sonne see another german playing in the side… maybe as soon as january…. 😉
Stan, it came from Steve Curry, Ferguson’s personal representative in Fleet St.
Hi JM – we have a few going in jan, it’s going to be a tough time…
gonnster, that’s my view, no story 😉
Afternoon AK, I haven’t seen him play but i’ll take your word 😉
Def need more goals from midfield, that’s an area we have never really struggled before but this season no-one is really ‘doing it’…
Hello rico, bit of a fishy one today,
I don’t have a problem with wenger going shopping in germany, there are some quality players in the bundasliga, just don’t want him coming back with a sausage.
Hi Micko 😆
I’m hoping that Merts is spreading the Arsenal love in the German camp over the next few days….
Got to pop off again, back later….
When i go away to a country I always try and take in a footie match, when I was in berlin a couple of years back I went to see hertha take on bayern at the Olympic stadium, the atmosphere was brilliant, and you didn’t have to get out of your seat all game as the beer was delivered to you.
The only problem being there were no toilets in the stadium so at half time you had literally thousands of people leaving for a jimmy riddle outside in the portable loo’s, as you can imagine it’s wasn’t a very pretty site.
it’s wasn’t a very pretty site.
It didn’t look good either,
Lyon, Arsenal, Franckfurt… what are the others teams on he Ladyes quarter-finals?
Boo! Where is everyone? I certainly wouldn’t mind Podolski, rico. But I’d still go for the Dutch. 😉
Evening guys and gals….
Dutch agag, now how did I know 😉 😳
Let’s go Dutch. All those “vans”, rico! 😀 Exciting!
goonster, I don’t mean all of Mindanao is dangerous. Just be smart where you want to go. I think you’d like Bohol/Boracay/Palawan in the Philippines. But those islands are NOT in Mindanao.
😆 agag I’m happy with that idea ….
Anything to get our main man (the Van of all Vans) to stay. 🙂 What’s cooking? I had a ham sandwich for dinner. Stuff you’d approve of. 😀
Ha ha – curry tonight for us agag, veggie of course and with a chick pea dish and naan 🙂
Missed luch today as a bit busy so looking forward to it shortly 🙂
Niiice, I love Indian food, too. Shame we don’t have many Indian restos here. Go eat! I imagine you’re far too skinny, always to-ing and fro-ing. 😉
Talking of which, i am off to get it sorted and eaten 🙂
Back in a bit
😆 agag, me, skinny, not quite 😉
Agag, I said no food on here! Am drooling already. Stop it dammit.
Good Evening Gooners.
Only a ham sandwich agag. You’ll fade away… 😉
Veggie curry Rico, hmmmm, don’t tell Lee, or else he’ll be on the train to Berks…..
More Dutch players, yeah, bring it on.
Mind you i’m more interested in their technique, rather than their thighs… 🙂 🙂
Hey Stan…. I’ve just had a fantastic haddock & chips, hmmmmmmmmmm.
Kev, am gonna get you for that. Here I am starving without a decent meal in days yet you lot won’t let me be. God I miss home cooked meals…mama where are you. Am coming home.
Hiya AK. You are not interested in thighs!!!!! so how come did you mention or even think of them??
Evening everyone.
Just back to say hello. I am absolutely knackered and will soon go and snuggle with the pillow.
Ham sandwich agag?? For dinner???? That’s an appetizer for me. If I eat only that for dinner the missus will not be able to see me anymore.
O mio Dio. I miss home cooked meals Senorita.
Goonster that is one of the favourite sayings of Speedy Gonzales. So its Speedy Goonster from now on.
Oh no not you too DG….that’s it am outta here.
Arreeeeebbbbaaa Arrrreeeebbbbbbaaaa.
Why Goonster??? Did I do somethng to you?? Except pulling your leg of course. But that doesnt count as something bad.
Hehehehe speedy Gonzalez the mexican mouse. Was one my favorite cartoon character ever.crazy litter fella.
He was also a mouseanizer. Do you like female mice Goonster???
Wasn’t he in dick tracy’s cartoon too DG?
DG, I love females….I even dig female fire flies.
Never watched Dick Tracy Goonster. But I still watch speedy Gonzales now together with my son. I see them over and over again and never get tired of them.
Any female goes….cock roaches mice chipmunks….ahhh I find female kangaroos a erotic! Something about them. Can’t place my finger on it now.
Good Good Goonster. All men in their right senses should love females……and cherish them. They are one of men’s best creations.
You and me DG…my girl gets all loco whenever I sit down to enjoy my cartoon. Don’t know what her problem is? Its not as if am watching porn!
That’s the spirit my man….like beyonce ll say”who run the world?
That’s better 😛
what are you talking about mama bear?
What’s better Rico??? What Goonster says or what I say…that the woman is man’s best creation???
I have just had my dinner and I was very hungry 😛
Ricooooooo! Thought you were gonna compliment us for sticking up for the ladies. That’s it I take it all back!
I leave those conversations to you boys goonster 😉
Rico we are offended. All those compliments for nothing!!!
You ll never know With a woman!
No no DG, it’s just when you boys want to talk about the ladies, that’s your chat… I know that without us ladies in the world, you men would be lost 😉
DG am done telling ladies stuff. Hell am kicking my girl out tonight. All those words and nothing! Where did it all go wrong?
stanley, behave! 🙂
That’s not totally true rico,
Calm down Goonster. Clever men do not kick their woman out. Women should be treated gently.
That’s why you are our best creation Rico……and we populated the world with women. So that wherever we go and wherever we are we will find women and never be lost.
Not far off though stanley 😉
DG 😆 cheeky
Just kidding DG…am in her flat now. I bet she ll do the kicking.
No its not Rico. You were our best creation……..seeing that you were created from a man’s RIB. We can go so far as to say you are a spare rib. And seeing that women are part of us men than we should treat you as we treat ourselves.
Evening all, anybody read Arrys bit in the Sun I can’t say i have a lot of time for him but agree with what he’s Written My man who i had tipped for the England job Pearcy has dissapointed me a bit he said that they had asked the question to FIFA about the poppy on the England strip, was told no and said that that was it, he said that that didn’t stop his feelings towards the fallen but you just get on with it. Now there comes a time when an Englishman sticks to his guns, puts his country’s traditions before protocol, perhaps i was wrong with Pearce maybe Wenger was right after all.
I think we are all equal DG, we all need eachother…
Evening Steve – i read the bit from Pearce and thought what a weakling…. By the way, the post i said was for Sat, will be tomorrows, it’s only right…..
Just pulling your leg Rico.
Righto off now. It was nice to be here today albeit for a bit. But now I am hearing my pillow scream for my head and its a call I find hard to refuse.
Good night guys and chicks.
Email on the way to you in the next few days Rico. Hope you like it enough……….!!!!! 😉
I know DG 😉
You have a good restful sleep and looking forward to your email…. Nighty to you… 🙂
Hi rico, yeh Pearce disappointed me , seems life’s full of disappointments eh
US star Brek Shea arrives ‘for experience’
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has explained the agreement that has temporarily brought highly-promising midfielder Brek Shea to Arsenal.
The 21-year-old American is one of the most exciting talents in the MLS and, with his campaign at FC Dallas now over, the League were looking to place him with a leading European club in order to gain experience.
Arsenal were a natural choice.
Shea will train with “top prospects” at the Club, as well as the first-team. Wenger is keen to give the 6ft 3ins US international a run in the Reserves but he accepts that regulations may scupper that plan.
“It’s a training period for him to see what his top level is like,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “The MLS encourage their players to go out to Europe during their off-season for improvement, practice and to have contact with top-level football. That’s why Brek Shea is coming here. It is a learning experience for him.
“Brek will train with the first-team when it is possible and practice with the best prospects of the Club as well outside of the normal sessions. There is not a better place than the Premier League to do that.”
Shea is one of the three players listed for the MLS Most Valuable Player award this season and Wenger is considering assessing his ability in the Reserve team during his spell in London.
“If it is possible I would like to do it,” said Wenger. “We will have to see how it goes because we play many games now and we have to check how it works on the legal side too.”
Steve, i was amazed to be honest, a man who has played with massive heart for his country, a true England man, yet he could just bow to others about such a cause…
Others maybe, Pearce, i’m shocked….
Anyone else reckon Shea is here for more than just keeping fit??
Coquelin wants out?? I dont think so….
Francis Coquelin is ready to battle for a spot in Arsène Wenger’s first team.
The midfielder has risen through the ranks at Arsenal and has started five matches for the Gunners since his return from a season-long loan at Lorient.
Coquelin’s last appearance came in the Carling Cup win over Bolton and he wants to convince his manager to give him further chances.
“I got back from Lorient where I was playing a lot so I think it’s crucial that I can settle in the dressing room now,” he told Arsenal Player.
“I will try to fight for a first team place. I have to keep focused, keep training hard and give 100 per cent every chance I can get. Then I have to grab it and show that I can play.
“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world so to be part of it is just crazy. It’s unbelievable.
“Every day I wake up I am happy because I come from a small town and now I am at Arsenal. It’s great for me and sometimes I just don’t realise it. I just enjoy every day.”
I’m done for the day folks…
catch you all tromorrow, have a good one….
Nighty night…..
Sounds a bit fishy rico. I wouldn’t be at all suprised if Stan might have a hand in this, Anglo American relations
Night Ricolicious
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/shea-could-feature-for-reserves-during-arsenal-stay/#respond
Has Oliver been doing some covert scouting???
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1270/06/agent-denies-javi-garcia-set-arsenal-move
Ok JM, what do you know about this guy.
When it comes to Portugese footie, your the man who knows his cebolas….. 😉
New Post up
AW doesn’t
t have the brains to understand the value of known combinations in team sports. If he did RvP would have a couple of his Dutch mates here already. So forgot ” Jerry ” coming over
Anyway. Our immediate problem now is to catch Liverpool, the Yiddos and Chelsea. It may happen if they keep form