Podolski – Strike partner or replacement for Robin van Persie?

Rumours about the future of Robin van Persie are beginning to move up into overdrive as the season winds down and the imminent arrival of Podolski has got a few fans wondering whether he is to partner RvP next season, or replace him.

Rockin Robin....

It seems that everybody and their dog have an opinion on what Robin should do and where he should ply his trade next season and beyond.

Should he sign a new contract at Arsenal and throw all his energies into helping the club that stood by him in some of his darker moments?

Should he endeavour to use his position as club captain to continue to drive Arsenal towards a brighter tomorrow and trophies??

Basically, should he repay the faith showed in him and repay both Wenger and Arsenal FC.

Or, at 29 years old, should he be more selfish?

Should he be thinking about spending the next 4 or 5 years of his career at a club which can help him to accumulate the prizes that his talents deserve?

Should he move to a different country, a different culture, a different football culture and league?

He and his advisors have a lot to consider over the next couple of weeks as Wenger has assured us that his situation will be resolved by the 17th May!

Not withstanding what Robin want’s to do, what should Arsenal FC do, from a financial perspective?

Do they offer Robin a bumper 4 or 5 year contract, or do they cash in????

Robin has an appalling history of injuries, injuries that don’t just rule him out for 2 or 3 weeks, but invariably for 2 or 3 months or even more!

So should our club have a look at things in a more pragmatic way?

Do they have to weigh up Robin’s injury record, his age and balance all that against his mammoth contract costs, including a probable signing-on fee for him and his advisors?

Crockin Robin....

Do they cash in with their fragile captain at the peak of his powers, knowing that it could all be a very fleeting peak and that the injuries could return with a vengeance next season and beyond.

A reported salary in the region of £130,000 per week , for a player who potentially could spend a lot of time in the Physio’s room, could be damaging when balanced against a possible transfer fee of between £30/£35 million.

Remember how difficult Arsenal find it now to move on players who earn inflationary wages.

Well Robin on £130,000 pw, an injury-prone Robin, would be unsaleable and a black-hole in Arsenal’s resources…

I’m just glad that I don’t have to make that decision over the next few weeks…

Damned if you do! Damned if you don’t.

Gazidis, Wenger and the club, simply cannot win, if Robin leaves, they will be accused of lacking ambition, if Robin stays and the injuries return, then they will be accused by the same people, of being stupid and not cashing in on a massive transfer bonanza…

Who would be a football manager eh???

Written by Allezkev

255 thoughts on “Podolski – Strike partner or replacement for Robin van Persie?

  1. Romford Pele (formerly HC) says:

    Can we not be this downbeat this morning please!

    I saw that Rico.. If it comes down to a straight choice between us and Spurs, i’m sure we’ll emerge victorious.

  2. rico says:

    Morning All

    Mighty fine one there again AK, imho if the club sell RvP, fans will be up in arms but at 29 years old I can see why you ask the question, what age was TH when he was ‘allowed’ to leave….

  3. Romford Pele (formerly HC) says:

    If Podolski is his replacement, there’ll be outrage so it can’t be allowed to happen unless a replacement of similar quality comes in

  4. rico says:

    Hi Romford..

    The Daily Mail aren’t known for reporting truth 😉

    3rd place might have a say in where he goes i guess but in Holland yesterday the news was that we’d signed him….

  5. Romford Pele (formerly HC) says:

    I’m convinced that we’re getting Vertonghen – M’Vila is the one i’m not so sure about. We need to confirm 3rd for him to come and for the AM and back up GK to arrive too.

  6. rico says:

    Ditto, and that would cost the club a lot of money…

    My own view is he will be loyal to a club he loves, he’ll do a ‘Dennis’ 🙂

  7. Potter says:

    Vertonghen wants champions league , win the next two and he will sign for us . Regarding RVP obviously the same applies , qualify in third and we have the whip hand in transfers that are set up but dependant on the leagues outcome. The quality of those will be the decider in his mind.

  8. Romford Pele (formerly HC) says:

    I agree – he seems very committed, you never got that feeling with Nasri…. RVP was quick to welcome Podolski on his Twitter account yesterday too 😀

  9. Adam says:

    Hi Rico and all. The Daily Mail think that Hitler is still alive also. In fact he writes for them.

  10. Scott From Oz says:

    If RVP goes,I will be much more pissed off with RVP than I would the club.
    Morning all.
    No way Vertonghen will go to Spuds…..its a sinking ship.

  11. madgunner says:

    Since when did daily fail become a bastion of truth? Do you guys seriously believe that some one of Vertonghen caliber, entering the last year of his contract, would even consider moving to the poor relations when he is being monitored and wanted by many of Europe’s top clubs?

  12. rico says:

    Hi Potter, we should win the next two, on paper we are better but i’m hoping Bolton do us a huge favour tonight….

  13. dada says:

    i think both should make a pair, just like gervinho. It will be a good starting point for us. We need a trophy this time.

  14. rico says:

    Morning Adam, don’t know why i always peep at that paper online, it’s full of tales 😉

    Morning Scott – depends if RvP forces the issue of moving i guess but from what AW has said, he’s not going to sell him even if he wants a move…

  15. rico says:

    no madgunner – that’s what we are saying about the mail, they speak little truth 😉

  16. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico,Gazidis has said that too.
    Let’s hope they stick to it,because keeping him for one more season would definitely decrease the likelihood of another big club wanting him……that psychological age of 30 will be a major issue.

  17. Adam says:

    Redknapp To Steal Vertongen From Arsenal by The Mail Reporter.

    ‘ere Vertoghen. Ah Fink you’re a T’riffic player. You don’t wanna play wiv your best mate Vermaelen, Van Persie and that German geezer, podlonski. You wanna play wiv other T’riffic players like Lou Saha. The fings that bloke can do from the treatment table are amazin’. And don’t forget you’ll be playing alongside Billy Dallas. E’s the best 46 year old in the Permier League and d’you know what? E’s a T’riffic geezer too.

  18. Lee says:

    Good post CGAK!
    WTF would anyone want to go to that shitehole?? As for the daily mail….does durham write for them?? Clueless!!!

  19. rico says:

    Welcome dada

    🙂 Romford, he and Wenger get on, they are safe and he might want to help us get another one over Arry 😉

    Agree Scott, but someone would snap him up on a freebie and be able to pay him a bumper wage, look at Anelka and he was older…

    Still don’t think it will come to that, my own view is that the deal is pretty much sorted, hence AW comments about sorting things out before euros…

    Same with Theo..

  20. rico says:

    Tops Adam 😛

    Morning Lee,

    players are trying to get out right now, modric is offski, bale might be joining him and Arry can’t afford to pay Ade the wage he wants….

  21. Mattyboy says:

    Tell you what would be the worst turns of rounds ever!!! If the Spuds were to win there remaining games and come 3rd and vertoghen does go.. what a shitter that would be!!

  22. Mattyboy says:

    Soorrry Rico, hows it going man long time no speak? He wont go who believes the DM anyway there sources are just as good as caughtoffsides!!

    Reason he wont go there is that there Cak!!
    Will lose there Stars this summer.
    And the verminator playing for us 🙂

  23. Vamsi says:

    Hopefully RvP signs, otherwise I thik AW will force him to stay until end of the contract. If he wants to go i guess its better to sell him for 25 to 30mil and get Giroud.

  24. rico says:

    All good thanks Matty, you?

    Did you see on here yesterday that a couple of bloggers who live in holland said the news there is we have already signed JV …

  25. rico says:

    Welcome Vamsi – don’t think he wants to go, he’s settled – we just need to match his ambitions…

  26. Scott From Oz says:

    And we were told a month ago the deal for Podolski was done.
    One isn’t related to the other,but it does prove we are capable of getting the deals done!!!
    Still,still,still loving that we’ve got Podolski.

  27. rico says:

    About time Scott, finally it seems the penny has dropped with IG, he needs to be sorting the next signing out now 😉

  28. Mattyboy says:

    Haha you cant exile me Scott… Then Where would the entertainment come from? 😛

    Yeah im good Rico been on away from work which is why i aint poped up! just hope we win our next to fixtures, seems like we been lacking fire power the last couple of games..

    How funny would it be if we finished 3rd and the spuds to come 4th… Chelsea 6th and win the champion league Final and get auto qualification and eliminate the spuds HAHA there faces then!

    Yeah i read on ESPN two weeks back that the Ajax manager confirmed we already signed him ???

  29. Scott From Oz says:

    Mattu,let’s not take that chance.
    Let’s just see the Spuds finish 5th and be done with it.
    I did have a laugh seeing Pardew whinging about if his side finished 4th they could still miss CL,based on Chelski winning the final.
    Of course,that was a few hourse before Wigan spanked their arse.

  30. rico says:

    I’d rather the geordies got 4th and the chavs get beat in the CL final – us of course being 3rd 😉

    but newcastle have a couple of tough fixtures so can’t see that happening sadly…

    we have to batter norwich and go into the final game with confidence….

  31. Scott From Oz says:

    Our boys have done beautifully to get to 3rd,and after that bashing they took early on(and still do from some) truly deseve to finish with a bang and get 3rd.
    One last push and we are there.

  32. Adam says:

    All things considered I think that Robin owes Wenger and Arsenal for sticking by him. If he moves, it will take him a year to settle in. He will need to uproot his family. He won’t be captain and might not play every week. Not many clubs can afford him. He has the spectre of Hleb etc. to remind him that the grass is not always greener, a phrase I have heard him use. So, when he retires in several years he will have £20 million in the bank instead of £16 million. He won’t be a legend but he can play with Adebayor and Ashley Cole in the desert somewhere. He could still go but personally I think he will stay. Mind you, I thought the Greens would win the last election.

  33. rico says:

    You are on fine form this morning Adam…. But i think you have hit the nail on the head there….

  34. Judith Le'Strange says:

    I hope we can secure Vertonghen’s signature he’s admitted he wants to come to Arsenal and apparently we have already started talks so I don’t know how comes Spurs are in the driving seat all of a sudden. Harry’s just an idiot and can’t think for himself and has to jump on everyone elses bandwagon for players, anyway let’s hope he’s not given a new contract at Spurs. Vertonghen is a close friend of Vermaelan and I’m sure he has put in a good word on our behalf.

  35. Scott From Oz says:

    I too think he will stay.
    He seems a very content and happy footballer at the moment.
    Ironically,it may well be the players we already have who help make up his mind to stay.
    He seems to thrive playing with Theo and Song this season.

  36. rico says:

    It’s in the bag Adam 😉

    Hi Judith – we should hear soon, dutch league closes this weekend…

  37. rico says:

    They’ll both stay Scott, M’Vila’s arrest may put Wenger off of him….

    Song, well his contrcat runs for two more years i think…

  38. brandler says:

    VP isn’t 29 until August….

    I agree Adam. There’s also the issue that I’m not really sure who would want him that he’d want to go with? I’d be shocked if he was prepared to go to another club in England, and it’s only really Barca and Madrid who I think could turn his head. Not sure he’s mobile enough to really fit in at Barca, and not sure he’s a Mourinho style player either….

    Surely he’ll look things over and realise for his own sake he should stay where he is, and become a true Arsenal legend….

  39. Andygunner says:

    Fabrice muamba is going to be at the reebok tonight. If that dosnt motivate Bolton I don’t know what will!!! Cmon miyiachi!

  40. alanbstardmp says:

    hi Rico and all

    He’s a replacement. Only 1 season we’ve benefitted from RvP. I bet the Gunners suspect they may not see it this good again, and given his age and what they can get for him now, they’ll sell him

    Podolski is cheaper and pcket millions as profit.

    I suspect there will not be another quality known transfer in

  41. Scott From Oz says:

    Brandler,he will be 30 in the transfer season next year…that’s what I was talking about.
    Yes,the ball is in his court as to how he’s remembered by Gooners.

  42. alanbstardmp says:

    Judith Le’Strange says:
    May 2, 2012 at 10:28 am

    I hope we can secure Vertonghen’s signature he’s admitted he wants to come to Arsenal and apparently we have already started talks so I don’t know how comes Spurs are in the driving seat all of a sudden.

    Judith. The whole point of entering into talks with one club, is to make others sit up, take notice, and hopefully enter the race for the player to see if they can better a previous offer of another club

  43. Mr Arsenal says:

    Morning hh,

    It’s gonna be a big summer for Arsenal,who’s coming in and who go’s?? Let the games begin.

  44. alanbstardmp says:

    OK Rico, but give it a couple of weeks before making the bet. 😀

    You may think again if no movement has happened

  45. Mr Arsenal says:

    Just changing the subject,but what do people make of frimpong??
    I think he worries way to much about he’s clothing line and twitter account that he’s starting to get to big for he’s boot’s.For some reason he is really annoying me at the moment.

    The thing he should be worrying about is how he is going to break into the first team when he’s back from injury.He’s gonna have a real struggle to get in with coquelin progressing at a rapid rate.

  46. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Guys and Chicks of the Gunners’ faith.

    How are you dear friends??

    Sensible Arsenal supporters ask those samw questions as you as Sir AK. A good tantalizing post with debatable questions which surely wet the appetite for everyone on this blog.

    Only the insanely fundamentalists will be outraged if he is sold. I think that if an offer of around 30 to 35 million comes in he should be sold for the reasons you mentioned above…….provided that it is reinvested in someone besides Podolski.

  47. Scott From Oz says:

    Mr A,I’m worried about his knee injuries than anything else.
    He’s just a frustrated kid atm,so I wouldn’t worry too much.
    When he’s back in full training,I’d like to think he will switch back on.

  48. Mr Arsenal says:

    Scott i just think coquelin is the all round better player.He has much more talent then frimpong and will last the course at Arsenal i believe.I’m not so sure with frimpong and IF we do sign M’villa what next for him?

  49. rico says:

    alan – that’s cheating 😉

    Mr A – I like Frimps, but i forsee a couple of loans for him yet….

    Lee – I know, I was being naughty 😉

  50. devilgunner says:

    You can never know Mr A. DB10 was on the verge of being released by Ajax at 16 then he played a game and he flew and became one of the best in business.

    Its too early for Frimpong………..give him time to recover.

  51. Andygunner says:

    I don’t know what to think of hodgsen’s appointment to england! Ionia we have a good record against his teams but will it mean an easier or harder game? it all seems irrelevant if we can just win our last two games! Wenger said Walcott might be back 4 west bromich albion.

  52. Mr Arsenal says:

    Morning rico,

    Maybe that is what is needed for him.It’s the way he spoke to a fan who asked him a general question and he retaliated with a sarky answer.Maybe i’m being hard on him,but i have seen so much wasted talent over the years with players becoming big headed and above everyone else.

  53. Mr Arsenal says:

    Maybe i should dg,because he does have some raw talent i admit and it’s nothing personal against him.
    Only time will tell i guess.

  54. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Scott. How’s the fishing????

    Its Autumn there aint’ it??

    Here its getting bloody hot. UV index is already 9

  55. Potter says:

    Talking to Tottenham is just hedging his bets , if we fail for 3rd and Spurs qualify , Chelsea win the C.L then he won’t come here. If we want him it’s down to us to win the last two.

  56. Scott From Oz says:

    I haven’t wet a line for about a month…getting withrawals lol.
    Potter,its interesting to read your explanation that Vertonghen Is hedging his bets.
    I agree with you,by the way.
    What’s intrigues me is the amount of people branding Hazard a whore for doing exactly the same thing.

  57. ERICKO says:

    RVP shld partner with PODOLSKI.we shld give RVP good and longterm contract,allowing RVP to leave arsenal,then we’ve not resolve our ever striking problems

  58. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,do you guys use the “group training” method?
    We started tonight.
    I’m supposed to oversee 4 sides,and come up with 4 drills,which are simply explained to each coach,with teams revolving through them.
    Well,I had 8 sides show up,4 sides with no coach!!!
    Basically,I set the drills up,but had to actually run 5 sides,including my own team,and every time I turned around,two of the three coaches who did show up were totally ignoring the drills!!!
    It wouldn’t have bothered me,but these two have never,ever played football in their lives,hence the idea behind group bloody training.
    In the end,I put on a show.
    I had their kids do the drill,then mine.
    I didn’t put them down,that wasn’t the point,but it allowed them and the patents to see what difference some coaching could make.
    I’m not joking,our kids looked 2-3 years more advanced than every other team,including the U/7’s….mine are 6.
    My issue us,unless things change,other kids will benefit but mine will miss out!!!
    Thoughts??????

  59. Goonster says:

    Verts to the spuds? Don’t make me laugh. The view here is that spuds are shit. Folks still can’t believe vdv joined them. I heard Danny blind harauged him after he joined the spuds. Jv ll never go to them. End of.

  60. Goonster says:

    Top of the morning to you lee. How’s the family? Really bored here. Need some action. That damned tsunami ruined me whole vacation plans. Grrrr.

  61. Lee says:

    Yeah all ok mate…. you re-booked your holiday?
    What u reckon, spuds to lose tonight?? Be sweet!!!

  62. Goonster says:

    Bolton ll be up for it. Heard muamba ll be in the stands. Miayachi to rub rose’s nose in his own dung. Come on bolton.

  63. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    Scott, I’d like to help you out re your 11.41 but you lost me after the first line.
    SYG, i’m up for a day out in Southampton, just gotta remember where I put the pliers.

  64. devilgunner says:

    Scott…….we use the group training method the majority of the time especially with the younger ones from 11 years down. The kids spend 20 minutes with the same coach doing exercise A and then switch to coach B for exercise B then to caoch C for exercise C. With the Under 17/19 we do not do it its different. But with 6 to 11 year olds we do it every week while with 12 to 15 year old we do it around once every fortnight.

    Regarding the other coaches doing bugger all…….you wouldnt want to be caught doing it when the director of Football and me are around, or you will be chucked out. Usually the DOF and I are going around observing what is happening and taking care of difficult situations which arise. We caught a coach doing it with the under 7 once and that was his last time at the club. He was simply replaced, even in mid-season we do it.

    For the kids we do everything. We teach them to show respect and be fair………..but we have to role model it in return. If we want them to act in the best of way we have to act in the best of way ourselves first.

  65. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,out coaching director….who knows less about coaching than my son……brought the idea in which,in principle,is brilliant,but as soon as we started,he walked away.
    It was disappointing to say the least.
    A lot of these kids need help but just won’t get it,and I can’t coach 5 sides.

  66. Scott From Oz says:

    Oh,and the clubs problem is finding coaches who are willing and can make training,whether they know the game or not.

  67. alanbstardmp says:

    Let’s not discount the possibility of Arsenal wanting the money and will be willing to sell RvP whether he likes it ot not

  68. Scott From Oz says:

    Alan,there is absolutely no way he will go unless he wants to.
    Even I would boo them!!!!

  69. Adam says:

    Goonster. Are your Internet problems solved? And was it you making all the noise at the Tulip in Velp about a month ago?

  70. Adam says:

    Not bad thank you. The interior decorating continues apace. It’s one of those things that, once started, you have to see through to the end. I have the plasterer arriving in under two weeks so it’s full steam ahead. I am hoping to celebrate CL qualification before then. Have you been to the Vitesse Arnhem stadium. I drove past it on my last visit and they were having a concert there that night for a girl singer I believe.

  71. alanbstardmp says:

    Scott, it’s possible. Those on the board are commercial animals and business is business. They got shot of the invincibles quickly when they changed the business model

  72. goonster says:

    Micko why don’t you tag along with adam. I ll show you both a good time. What do you say?

  73. Scott From Oz says:

    I’ll stand by my thoughts on it Alan…he will go only if he wants to.
    Time will tell.

  74. Lee says:

    apparently AC are letting flamoney leave on a free….what you do reckon?? It’s a “no thanks” from me….

  75. goonster says:

    That was back in february right? My friends went i didn’t. My family supports vitesse but me am willem ii fan. Though things have been rough for us for sometime now.

  76. rico says:

    Oh dear oh dear, the PL title could be decided by the Newcastle v Citeh fixture….

    Guess who is the referee – Howard Webb 😆

  77. goonster says:

    Micko, you ninny. I wasn’t gonna offer you a bed. You ll sleep on my grand ma’s funky smelling couch. That ll learn ya.

  78. goonster says:

    I do adam but those are way out of my league. I can’t afford them on what they pay me!

  79. goonster says:

    Great news there rico…fergie ll be smiling. That miserable old goat. God i hate that guy. Grrrrr.

  80. Adam says:

    Me neither. Fortunately some nice Dutch people paid the bill and even let me pick the wine. So, do you know the World Trade Centre too Goonster?

  81. alanbstardmp says:

    there’s a bloke on ” red London who thinks he’s a shit buy and should have gone for Falco, and a couple of other names mentioned. Not sure the board would fancy that?

  82. rico says:

    No thanks from me either Lee, goonster, and arsenal man wouldn’t do what flamini did….

    Song is to date far more arsenal than flamoney had in his little finger….

  83. rico says:

    Night Scott….

    There would always be a few that think that about Pod alan…. no pleasing some eh…

  84. goonster says:

    Guess you right there maam. He did bail on us when we needed him most still i ll have him over song.

  85. Adam says:

    A friend of mine met Flamini at a party in Paris a couple of years ago. Said he was a nice guy and that he still loved Arsenal. Water under the bridge for me though.

  86. rico says:

    Was that after his firts season at AC Adam? 😉

    Coquelin – he’s going to be better than flamini imho…

  87. Adam says:

    It was Rico. He said he had splinters in his arse through spending so much time on the bench. I agree about Coquelin too.

  88. alanbstardmp says:

    ah Here comes the rain again. That means I’m released from the drudgery of mowing

  89. rico says:

    I thought so Adam, Hleb was similar…..

    goonster – Song may not, his contract isn’t up until 2014, plenty of time to get a good price for him 😉

  90. goonster says:

    Why wait maam? Flog him now. Get mvilla or jv so the young uns(coqpong) ll learn from a real dm! Yeah i said.

  91. vernat1066 says:

    Afternoon, if he is going to be sold then we should look for a goal scorer not a combination forward/striker. I know he is not everyone’s favourite player but Darren Bent? Got a good goal scoring record and might he be Arsenal’s elusive Fox in the box?

  92. Lee says:

    Judas Iscariot is remembered for one thing: his betrayal of Jesus Christ. Even though Judas showed remorse later, his name became a symbol for traitors and turncoats throughout history. His motive seemed to be greed, but some scholars speculate political desires lurked beneath his treachery….

  93. rico says:

    Totally agree goonster, get both JV and M’Vila I say 🙂

    alan, about time someone else got the rain 😉

  94. rico says:

    hi vernat – i like bent, he’s a gooner too, just had a nasty injury though…

    perfect description for flamoney i’d say….

  95. vernat1066 says:

    Hi Rico, well if he has just had an injury perfect for us, like Kanu or Overmaars were when we signed them

  96. rico says:

    he’s recovering well though vernat, should be ok for the euros, he wouldn’t be cheap though….

  97. vernat1066 says:

    No but if he scores like he has everywhere but Spurs he’s worth it, think should get him for 20 million?

  98. Rokabox says:

    from a.f.c. we all know that theo,

    By Joe Brewin

    Theo Walcott knows that variety in his play is vital if he wants to remain more than a speed merchant.

    The 23-year-old has used his pace to great effect since he broke into the Arsenal side but his all-round game has improved with experience. This season’s Premier League return of eight goals and nine assists is testament to that with Walcott earning praise from Footballer of the Year Robin van Persie among others.

    Walcott believes that he must continue to mix up his game to keep his opponents guessing.

    “At times people just expect me to knock the ball and run but it is not as easy as you think to be honest,” he told Arsenal Player. “As soon as you start doing that, the defender knows what you are doing every time. You need to change it because you can’t just be one-dimensional.

    “I am always going to be known for pace, I know that. But the next step is the finishing. I have a lot of assists this season but I don’t think I am ever going to lose that.”

    Walcott has dealt with his fair share of criticism this season but the England international believes Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham – in which he scored twice – was the turning point. That, according to Walcott, is when his instinct took over.

    “You always try but when things aren’t going for you in the game you tend to try too hard and nothing goes your way no matter how hard you try,” he said. “A perfect example would be Tottenham in the first half. I was just trying too hard and it wasn’t quite happening.

    “But then I just tried to forget about that, played as a free spirit in the second half and it happened.

    “Football is a weird game; you have your ups and downs and that is the way it works. Nobody goes out there not wanting to play well, you want to put in 100 per cent but if it isn’t going for you then it’s just not going for you.”

  99. terry says:

    Cant believe ppl writing frimpong off… he has everything to succeed at arsenal, he is a gooner and he loves the club…. he dose have a few flaws to his game but he can improvethose flaws like he losses ball under pressure and his passing is not world class but that is something you can improve… he has the desire and heart.

    Here is some of my analysis about the CAM role:

    the 2 best attacking mids at the moment at arsenal are:
    Rosicky and Arshavin.

    Rosicky: he adds more to the midfield than to the striker.

    Arshavin: on the other hand adds more to the striker than to the midfield

    when we play arshavin as the attacking mid arteta and song need to play as cm mmids like in a 442 formation

    when rosicky plays one of song or arteta need to sit back and cover the defence.

    our wide players need to contribute more.
    our formation should be 451 on defence and 433 on offence.. walcott AOC yossi gerviniho can all be very good coz they have the attributes to be top class but they need more coaching how to play on the wings Walcott is way better than Pedro from barca … but pedro delivers so much more than theo in the game im not talking about stats(goals / assist) im talking about involvement in the game.

    again when we tak about coquellen and Song for def midfiled position:
    Coquellen is more of a hard tackiling hardworking def mid.
    song on the other hand is a more disciplined def mid who can sit back and cover the back 4 he relies more on positioning and reading the game.

    arteta has been a patient keep it simple kind of player but he need to add more to the creative department more like xabi from Real.

    if wenger really dosent have more money to spen then here is what he should do:

    Get rid of the player who he thinks are not good enough and replace them with good competitive players.
    Everton show that with hardwork and a heart to win you can perform and get results against any team in the league.

    here are some really good players that can be brought in with out shelling too much cash:
    Kagawa- last year of his contract
    Demba ba- 7m release clause.
    Giroud- 11m release clause
    vertonghen- top class leader in the last year of his contract.
    moses/hoilet/sinclair- good wingers
    Nuir Shain- unused top player at real whould be availabe on a cheap.
    Al habsi- good keeper would jump at the oppourtunity to play for us.

    HENRI LANSBURY is a lucky player went to norwich they got promoted…
    went to WEST HAM they got protomed..

    Next seaon will play for us and we win the league 😛

  100. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Afternoon Gooners. Thanks for positive vibe.
    Afternoon Rico.

    I asked the question, but in truth the club cannot win for the reasons i gave.
    Personally i want Robin to stay.
    I think, depending on his fitness, that he could play at a high level up to and beyond his mid~30’s.
    But injuries, or the threat of them, will always hang over him.

  101. Charlie George aka AK says:

    But at the same time, as Devil mentioned, i could understand the criteria for cashing in!

  102. Lee says:

    There he is…….
    Real Madrid are sniffing around RVP, according to Hill-Wood’s tabloid mouth piece…..I still think he stays!!

  103. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all, Another great post Sir AK OR CG,
    I watched some clips of Podolski and i must admit he is like a mirrow image of Van Persie, your post has some merit,as they are so similar both left footed and move very much the same it does make you wonder if Wenger see’s two of them together mabe switching rolls, or maybe as you have pointed out may be a replacement, i like too think that with Vertonghen and M’vila penciled in that arsene and the board are stepping up the game and building the strength of our squad it would be a shame to sell high and buy low and it would leave us in the same position , if we do get all 3 i believe Robin would want a peice of the action who wouldn’t.

  104. Mr Arsenal says:

    Goonster why would you have flamoney over song???
    Flamoney bailed on us remember and stopped Lassana playing more in which he would have stayed.

    I’d rather song any day over that sorry sad littleman.

  105. stevepalmer1 says:

    Many supporters have been crying out for new players not just this season but for quite a few, hopefully We have started to sign some, but what we must realise is that we can’t buy and keep everybody, there will be some going, to start off we have to get rid of the non performers we all have our own players in mind but what seems to happen when we buy, is the young players such as Lansbury Afobe coqu Jenks Miyaki Bartley and quite a few more will be held back and the more we buy the worse it gets, we have to remember that when Jack comes back and say we sign M’vila that players like Rosiski Arteta Ramsey and the Ox will not be used as much, there is a limit to how many we can bring in as it could backfire on us

  106. vernat1066 says:

    Not just that young players will not get a chance but there is also the assumption that the players we buy and the ones usually quoted that we need to buy are from different leagues will all perform in this league straight away and will make us a better team is questionable. If we are going to buy players then lets make sure that some of them at least are experienced in this league, look at the success of Arteta and Benayoun this season as experienced players but also experienced players in this country and in this league a distinction that many fans miss out on. If we don’t then there is the possibility of yet another Jam Tomorrow season where it will be wait until these players are used to the league, country language etc…

  107. stevepalmer1 says:

    You have a good point there Vernat1066, the trouble is any really good players don’t usually move that much and clubs are a bit sceptical about selling to their rivals, unless your talking big money and that normally rules us out unless we sell.

  108. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Any truth in the rumour that Daniel Levy has been in Holland having talks with the representatives of Vertonghen???

  109. vernat1066 says:

    True but we know that certain clubs have to sell as they need the money, Everton perhaps being an example, Aston Villa or most of the teams like a Wigan. Whether or not they have the quality players needed is another argument but I see there is a rumour of Man U bidding 22million for Fellaini from Everton

  110. Charlie George aka AK says:

    I suppose the advisors of Vertonghen have a duty to speak to the representatives of any interested club.
    But as long as Arsenal meet the price that Ajax demand for their captain. And the wage packet is acceptable. Then i cannot see any other reason why Verts won’t be a Gunner quite soon.
    All the rumours seem to point in that direction.
    Whilst Vertonghen has said nothing. Just as Podolski said nothing despite the fuss going on around him.

  111. Charlie George aka AK says:

    It seems that once a player and/or his agent, start mouthing off about the prospect of him joining Arsenal, that that is a sure sign that talks have broken down and Arsenal have walked away. And that the agents are trying to revive Arsenal’s interest, or use Arsenal’s interest to get other clubs to look at the player.

  112. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Rico, when it comes to transfers, Stan is a bit of a jinx.
    Silence is Golden on transfers Stan….
    You know it makes sense… 😀

  113. rico says:

    JV is saying nothing though Charlie, nor are Ajax – its all paper rumour after the De Boer I/V… I’m keeping my hopes up on JV…

  114. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Tbh, if Charlie had joined the Spuds in 1974/75? I reckon we would feel quite differently about him.
    Even if Arsenal had paid a fee i still think Spuds would consider him a Judas, so i don’t pay any heed to those points they made.
    At the end of the day Rico & in the words of Clark Gable, “Frankly my dear, i couldn’t give a damn” what Spuds think.
    Let them stew.

  115. mog says:

    talking of ex players it would have been david rocastle’s birthday today. he’d would have been 45 i think, it’s been 12 years since he passed away.

  116. rico says:

    I don’t give a toot about them either Charlie, they are only bitter and twisted as he left them for a far superior club and won trophies 😉

    Micko – just a tad…

    Hadvn’t heard that one vernat, wish we could sign him….

  117. Charlie George aka AK says:

    That’s why i’m optimistic Rico….
    Dutch is the font of all knowledge.
    Ain’t that right Lee? 🙂

  118. mog says:

    rico was it 2001 then
    does’nt time fly by can remeber when he first started playing for the first team. it was hard he was to belive he was younger than me. it was the same with a few of the other players adams, merson etc.

  119. Micko says:

    Mog, I grew up with Rocky as well, to think todays generation have Diaby to look up to………poor sods.

  120. rico says:

    sure does mog, and totally agree with Micko, look at some we have now in our ranks – Rocky would turn in his grave if he could see how little they fight for the shirt they wear….

  121. rico says:

    REAL MADRID will make a mouthwatering £40m offer for Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie.

    The winner of the PFA and FWA awards has one year remaining on his contract and will discuss his future in the summer.

    Arsenal – who lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last year – are confident that they can keep their inspirational skipper Van Persie.

    However any big money offer from the Spanish giants will test Van Persie’s resolve.

    The Gunners worry that Madrid will be able to offer Van Persie more cash and Champions League glory.

    And an offer of £40m would create a dilemma at The Emirates.

  122. rico says:

    Do you reckon he’ll go on loan for a few months Micko, maybe to Bolton, just to get over his injury?

  123. mog says:

    micko todays generation probably think wow, diaby 3 million a year and he only has got to play 2 hours of football over a season.

    rico do’nt know about turning in is grave more like doing cart wheels.

  124. Micko says:

    To be honest Mog he rose above any of my expectations, didn’t think we’d get two hours outta him.

    No chance rico, he’d be very much in Wengers plans come August, no more loans for Jack, them days are well behind him.

    Catch you tomorrow folks, c’mon Bolton.

  125. mog says:

    rico thats wot i meant not turning but spinning. just read my post and cart wheels does sound like your enjoying your self.

  126. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening All,

    Hope your all well and looking forward to a Bolton win and a chavs draw…! Even two draws would be good but far prefer Bolton to stuff the yids…!

  127. rico says:

    😆 mog, i get it….

    Evening Wath – that would make me very happy….

    Back in a bit, going to eat and i’m hungry, won’t be long 🙂

  128. devilgunner says:

    Hiya folks. I am back………….. 🙂

    rico says:
    May 2, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    REAL MADRID will make a mouthwatering £40m offer for Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie.

    For that amount I would bite their hand off………..and QUICKLY. (provided its reinvested in a good replacement)

  129. devilgunner says:

    So 3 million a year for playing 2 hours???? Yesterday I played a full game in the sweltering heat……….and received FA. Just a pat on the back and well done for being one of only 3 players who managed to last out the full game. That is life for you. 🙂

  130. rico says:

    I’m going to head off for the night guys and gals…

    Here’s to a win for Bolton and a darw for the barcodes….

    have a good one all, til tomorrow…

    Nighty night…..

  131. devilgunner says:

    Ideally we would have the Chavs loosing tonight against the barcodes. The barcodes in turn need to get slaughtered by Shitty. So that would help us a lot.

    Regarding the swampies the ideal scenario is that they loose them all…….or draw them all.

  132. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Ideally is spurs loosing tonight. Not what the score now.
    I’m not sure about your predictions for chavs and for the next match

  133. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Bloody hell Scummers 1~4.
    No messing about now.
    Have to beat Norwich and West Brom.
    Don’t Arsenal just luv to put us through the wringer?!

  134. Scott From Oz says:

    Chelsea seem very,very flat.
    They’ve had a tough schedule,and it could be telling.
    Liverpool might be a chance on the weekend.

  135. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Bloody Hell.
    Arsenal simply cannot afford to fanny about anymore.
    The players need to concentrate their minds.
    Nevermind Wenger.
    The players have to take responsibility and finish the job.

  136. devilgunner says:

    No JM. Only the scum score is bad. Newcastle will definately loose against Shitty. Tiote is out for the match. They won today because the chavs were not at full team and their mind is on the cups. So the chavs loss will eventually put them out of the running for 3rd.

    But we simply have to win the two remaining games.

  137. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Agree Devil.
    Spuds are the real threat.
    But if our players do their job, we’ll be just fine.

  138. Joaquim Moreira says:

    simples…
    But win the two remaining games is want we must do after draw at Stoke

  139. devilgunner says:

    I am off now mates. Time to go and dream that we are stuffing Norwich City with Chamack having a fit and decides to play for once and scores a hattrick in 4 minutes. And with Park Ju young playing and scoring a couple after making the Nowrich keeper go cross eyed just by staring at him. lol

    cu mates

  140. Rokabox says:

    What a goal from Cisse, the guy is out of this world,
    I thought i saw David Dien @ the Reebok stadium!!

  141. stevepalmer1 says:

    Just watched the spuds what can i say they were blessed with with a very benevolent ref he helped them get in front and when the heads went down he started reffing properly

  142. Rokabox says:

    Mind you the 1st goal Cisse scored is not a bad one either!
    Steve isn’t he the same ref who was jumping in celebration when Saha scored @ the emirate!?
    What knob!

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