Polish winger linked, Striker and Midfielder deals close? Walcott starts, we score at home….

Morning all.

Did you know that Arsenal haven’t scored a goal in five of our last six home games? In that sixth game when we did score, Theo Walcott started the match – unlike the other five.

So why is he not playing?

Seriously, why is the man who Arsene Wenger, and Arsenal were so desperate to keep, not playing. Why did the club increase his salary to the reported £140,000 a week, just to plonk him on the bench, then give him ten or twenty minutes of a game?

Walcott is our most clinical finisher imo, he’s our quickest forward player and as much as he might piss us off when he looks like he’s disinterested, he can suddenly change a game. And he usually ‘turns up’ in the ‘big matches’…

Why, when he’s probably the best option we have on the right-hand side, is he on the bench and Ramsey played out of position? The same could be said about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, another exciting player who isn’t afraid to run at defences and shoot like he did when we beat Chelsea at Wembley. No, it’s clearly more ideal to play a central midfielder in his place.

It just doesn’t make sense does it….

Actually, very little of what’s going at Arsenal makes much sense right now, especially when it comes to transfers. Still no further additions, yet still we are vulnerable in certain areas. With just seven days left in this transfer window, it’s looking highly unlikely that things will change.

The League Cup draw took place last night and possibly came out with the worst fixture for us. A trip across North London to Tottenham. There was a time when this fixture would have been a walk in the park, an expected victory even with a second string playing but this time around, I fear the worst and an early exit.

Why, because look at our fixtures for next month.

First up after the International break is Stoke at home on the 12th and then it’s:

Sept 15/16 CL
Sept 19: Chelsea (A)
Sept 23: Tottenham (A League Cup)
Sept 26: Leicester (A)
Sept 29/30 CL

I doubt Arsene Wenger can afford to field a first eleven on that night, not when they would have already played in a CL fixture and two PL fixtures against Stoke and Chelsea within eight, maybe seven days and with a tricky away at Leicester  just three days later, priorities have to be with the Premier League.

Yes we have a few good younger players but the more experienced of those are out on loan…

Still, we have Flamini to sure up the ship eh…….

Transfer gossip:

Arsenal are on the brink of signing Russian striker Alexander Kokorin. The Dynamo Moscow striker has been linked with Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and Zenit. (Star)

Arsenal and Liverpool are ready to pounce on a deal for Jakub Blaszczykowski after reports claimed he is ready to quit Borussia Dortmund. (Star)

Grzegorz Krychowiak continues to be linked to Arsenal and his buy-out clause could be activated by the club. (The Independent).

Arsenal have recently emerged as the favourites to secure the signature of Lucas Silva. (Daily Express)

That’s it for Wednesday, have a good one guys…

129 thoughts on “Polish winger linked, Striker and Midfielder deals close? Walcott starts, we score at home….

  1. Steven says:

    Is it just me or does this season already feel like it’s going to be a nightmare….lose or draw against Newcastle then we’ll have to write our league chances off… we can’t keep playing catch up plus we’ve not exactly had a hard start… so frustrating

  2. Bob John says:

    Morning Rico
    Worst possible draw in the league cup. If we put out a weakened team we will probably lose. We can’t afford to play a full strength side due to fixtures and there is no guarantee that it would win. Plus from many fans point of view we can’t put out a weakened side because of the opposition. The only way for it to work out is if we put out the reserves and they win! Not even sure what sort of team we could put out bearing in mind the injuries we have!
    Possibly Ospina, Debuchy, Chambers, Gabriel, Gibbs, Flamini, Arteta, Ox, Iwobi, Walnut, Campbell

  3. Tai says:

    Morning Rico, All…

    Nice post…

    …and good questions too. We don’t lack players to challenge even with what we presently have. We have a manager who revels in just technically gifted players, then plays every player out of position just to continue passing endlessly.

    The two of the most explosive wide players in England in Theo and Ox lavish on the bench in a home game while Wenger stocks the team to pass-pass in the middle, denying Giroud service from crosses, expecting the French to perform miracles with his back always turned to goal.

    Either Carzola or Ramsey must go to the bench for Walcott to start games or we continue to stutter!

    Signing new players is not the solution if Wenger insists on conversions, that word again!

  4. allezkev says:

    Rico, that was a post that contained more questions than answers…

    It was as tasty as the sausage sandwich I had an hour ago…
    Brown sauce of course… 🙂

  5. Tai says:

    From players we sent out on loan, it was clear Wenger was not interested in the League Cup. That Tottenham fixture will certainly end it for us. Not expecting we cross that hurdle.

    I know we’ll beat Newcastle… even with Gabby and Chambers starting…

  6. rico says:

    Bob, if Merts and Kos are still out for the cup tie, Gabriel and Chambers will no doubt be flogged to death…

    Tai, doesn’t make any sense does it..

    Kev, red for me, and a quorn sausage of course.. 😉

  7. rico says:

    Lewis, sure is. Crazy imo, I get rotation but Walcott hasn’t started one game so far… I bet he doesn’t start on Saturday either. I could understand it if Arsenal had a WC winger on the right but Ramsey?? It’s not fair on either player, or Ramsey imo…

  8. Dimitar Kakalov says:

    We have started few games now with just two attacking players on the bench. Two games that we were screaming to win we only had Theo and Alex (which are pretty much similar players) to relay on for game changing. And also, in a match you want to win, you don’t substitute Giroud for Walcott but rather you take off Chambers and play with 3 defenders and 2 attackers in the box. We barely had more than 1 player in the box the whole Liverpool match. It is time for Wenger to call it a day his Arsenal career. Enough is enough.

  9. Bob John says:

    Kev. Not forgetting our three new signings!
    We always had a good record against Maclaren when he was at ‘Boro. Hopefully this will continue. Giroud has a good record against the Geordies too.

  10. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    I think Wenger was right to have Ramsey on the right. Bellerin offers the width and Ramsey tracks back and helps Bellarin.
    Walcott is the worst winger we have who can’t beat a full back, doesn’t track back much and dissapears most games. It’s the same reasoning as Podolski, great finisher, not much else.

    Ox is naieve but at least a direct and natural winger and makes the game happen but still runs blindly.

    Ramsey at least gets into the box and looks to shoot which I commend given the Wengerball tactics everyone seems to play.

    Problem is we seem to favour the left side with even Ramsey popping up on that flank. Sanchez, Ozil, Ramsey and Cazorla all cutting inside and only Monreal and Bellarin offering width. No wonder Gomez had such an easy game and even got forward.

  11. allezkev says:

    Bob, if we don’t get anymore injuries, a big ask I know, then I think we can go the ShitHole with quite a decent second string team…

    Not sure if the Scum will rest too many but they have to play as many games as us, and as it goes, our away form makes me more confident of getting a result at the Slum than at our mausoleum…

    Added to that will be the three new signings you mentioned, hooray…. 😀

  12. rico says:

    Trouble is Brad, Ramsey doesn’t always stay wide so therefore we lose the width on the right and then our play is pushed central and it all becomes crowded and we can’t find a way through. Wenger plays Giroud but there’s no-one firing crosses into him.

    442 might get us goals though… 😉

  13. Steve says:

    A conspiracy theorist would tell you it’s all about managing expectations. If we start well, it can only end in disappointment as injuries and squad deficiencies take their toll. However if we start poorly, bobble around mid table until the new year, then miraculously grab our 4th place trophy, well we all know then that Arsene is a genius and a saviour.

    Unfortunately for a decent conspiracy to work you need people in charge who actually know what they are doing.

  14. Bob John says:

    Tai. Its called irony! But we can still dream!
    Kev We know its their Cup Final and they will be right up for it. They still have thousands of commemorative mugs left from when they got a corner against us in 2002!!

  15. rico says:

    Hope it’s more than just interest Brad…

    Steve, I seriously believe our 4th place is a doubt if we don’t sign a couple of players. Other teams are stronger…

  16. Lee says:

    Should of sold Walcott and bought Pedro….. no way he’s worth £140k pw, still a sprinter in football boots in my eyes! Sorry Rico.

  17. Steven says:

    A UTD friend of mine believes we should go for Austin…. 15 premier leagues last season cheap at 15 Million…. … the last time we took a chance on an over 25 year old English striker he went on to become arsenals top scorer well before the king turned up… food for thought! I’m still hoping Welbeck turns up as his running up top is second to none even his runs between the lines are great… he just can’t finish his dinner. Come Wenger improve the squad… however I feel I have more chance of “lighting the beacons of Gondor” then Wenger buying a worldclass player

  18. Dublingunner says:

    Steve re 11.19 thats exactly how our season will pan out.
    Morning, It is worrying, that we havnt scored at home in 5 of the last 6 games, Apparently, rumours doing the round that we have no interest in signing Cavani.
    Krychowiak could happen, though. it,s a start, I suppose.
    Thats a stiff 7 days in September, Rico, and before that we,ve still Newcastle,Stoke and Chelsea, Cant see us getting near City any time soon.

  19. Steven says:

    I think 442 could really work – Giroud to drop deep to interlink the play which should bring a CB out of position giving the number 9 say Theo or Welbeck a better chance to get in behind… who would be the two in the middle? Le Couq plays then between Carzola, Ramsey, Ozil and Wilshere…

  20. rico says:

    Steven, I’m all for Austin too, if AW wants a striker, why not? PL proved, English and he was born down the road from me.. 😉

    Dublin, we could be in the relegation places by October… lol

  21. Dublingunner says:

    Sooner or later he,ll have to sacrifice Cazorla or Ramsey to give one of our wingers a run in the team, clearly things ain,t working as is.

  22. Dublingunner says:

    Interesting piece by the London Evening standard over on Newsnow.
    Arsenal worth more than £1bn and placed ahead of Chelsea in new football market study.

  23. potter says:

    Theo won’t score from half chance aerial crosses as he doesn’t attack the ball. If you have wingers and fullbacks crossing with the present squad it has to be Giroud. Personally I can’t see where Walcott fits into Wenger’s preferred system and I am beginning to wonder if he got his new contract to stop him going elsewhere and being a great success.If we get to the month’s end without additions it will be time to sit back appraise the players we have and build a system to suit them , not try to mould them into an unnatural system and play them out of position.

  24. potter says:

    Just seen this quote from Johann Cruyff who I think knows a bit and it sums up the present dilemma at Arsenal.,

    as explained by Johan Cruijff in his book Voetbal “a football pitch length is 100 to 130 yards and its width is 50 to 100 yards; as you get closer and closer to goal, the length decreases as do spaces at your disposal. Suddenly you don’t have any space left and you can’t move any further. Where do you find those spaces you need to keep going? In the only part of the pitch that doesn’t change, its width”

    Gunnerstown blog.

  25. rico says:

    We don’t fire in many crosses to Ollie and spend far more time trying to pass the ball around the box for the perfect goal. At least his pace would give him a few yards against a few defenders when we break fast…

    It certainly isn’t working at the moment….

  26. Dublingunner says:

    Begs the Question, why no wingers till the 75th, 80th min, every game
    I thought this a funny piece, I dug up.
    Arsenal’s new striker search: Monday: Benzema Tuesday: Cavani Wednesday: Kokorin Thursday: Kalou Friday: Is Welbeck fit? Saturday: Giroud

  27. frednerk says:

    Sorry to sound like a know all,
    Most of the teams who have a
    decent coach know how to handle pace.
    Dropping deep is what you do.
    That’s why wenger play’s the Quiff
    and not walnut at home.
    But after how many games at home
    and not winning will it last till the
    penny drops or the fans get going
    again.
    Wenger,the player’s and us fans
    expected 9 points from the 3 easy
    games.

    But we have the old average
    Boxers story…………Don’t we.
    Won-one…….Lost-one,….Drew-one

  28. rico says:

    Which is why I asked the question about width and why both our wingers (if TW isn’t going to play striker) are dumped on the bench… Just doesn’t make sense..

  29. Danish Gooner says:

    Maureen is gonna put the final nail in our championship coffin,it is gonna be hard to watch but nevertheless…….And Wenger will have nowhere to hide,no WC,No European Championship,no nothing and still abysmal opening on the season.

  30. rico says:

    Danish, if he gets Pogba and Stones, they’ll certainly have a squad as good as City..

    Meanwhile, old tight arse does nothing…

    Kokorin could be the first one in Dale’s trolley….

  31. Rejoice says:

    from Asier Illarramendi now, and he sounds rather pleased to be heading home, to Real Sociedad. He told AS:

    Very happy. Of course, I wanted to return, I haven’t yet spoken to my teammates, later I will speak with them. Real [Sociedad] has always been my first option and I was really wanting to return home, of course.”

  32. Rejoice says:

    A thought. Since Utd’s last trophy in 2013 Ars have won 2. They’ve spent £142m Utd £290m + 1 failed C Lge qual. Who’s arrogant and naive?

  33. Lee says:

    No World Cup.
    No European Championships.
    No Champion’s League qualification.
    Loads of money in the bank.

    NO FUCKING EXCUSES!

  34. potter says:

    Wanting to go home ? Well he would say that I suppose if no-one else made a concrete bid , which in our case is quite likely.

  35. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    I would like to ask a simple question???

    Why is AW keeping Theo???

    various answers……

    1) will he use him more regularly after September when teams are more tired and less focused??
    2) is he keeping him at the club so that another club will not have him?
    3) doesnt he trust Theo enough (if so why give him a new contract)?
    4) does he prefer Ollie because he is French and Theo is English?

    it can be another answer as well. what do you think.

  36. Dublingunner says:

    Regarding theo and Ox, I just don,t think he trusts them. It’s clear that Wenger has serious concerns over both their defensive contributions, Ox had a decent game against West Ham, but his tendency to fall asleep on the edge of his own box proved costly, while Theo,s refusal to do the dirty work and track back means that for games where Wenger wants to control possession, which is most games he turns to Ramsey on the right, who will do the dirty work, but our offensive play suffers for that.

  37. andrewh1313 says:

    Afternoon rico. Your post addresses two major issues, playing people out of position and lack of transfers. In fact we are the only Prem club not to buy an outfield player. But we are all wrong aren’t we? I mean surely AW with all his experience knows more than us? Must be the case otherwise I want to throttle him.

    Scott, you want window to end now?!!! Without any signing when we are patently defficient? Or is it that you are just fed up with constant rumours not happening?

  38. rico says:

    Not really concerned about Utd’s failings…

    More concerned about what AW will do over the next week and the season as right now it all looks a bit of a sorry state of affairs.

  39. Dublingunner says:

    Which does beg the question, Devil, why if you don,t truly trust a player, why would you make him a top earner,
    Wenger, never has a manager been so untouchable.
    Laters.

  40. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Browsing through some blogs today I simply could not help laughing.

    They were analysing the last game against the dippers. And some of the comments laid the blame on Gabi. The reason……Gabi has problems with communication. that is why Chambers could not settle down.

    Well considering that Nacho, Bellerin and Gabi all speak Spanish I think its more plausible that Chambers had the difficulty and not Gabi. In this case its not Gabi who has to learn English its Chambers who had to learn Spanish. And Gabi has been here since January. So I presume that during training they do play with each other as CBs.

    An interesting stat……we have yet to loose a game in which Gabi has played. plus we have won all of them. the dippers game was the first one in which we dropped points.

    Against the barcodes I would drop Ozil and play Aaron in the hole with Theo or Ox on the right. Or drop Ozil and play Cazorla in the hole with Arteta beside Coquelin. Then give Ozil a 30 minute run out as a sub for Arteta, with Cazorla dropping back.

  41. frednerk says:

    What’s the point of width when
    the defending team have twice
    as many players in the box
    than you………..it’s pointless
    and so it’s proving.
    At home we play with two attacking
    fullbacks..Always
    The problem we have is Santi and Ozil not
    attacking the ball and Ramsey chasing
    pidgeon’s off the pitch.

  42. andrewh1313 says:

    We were hearing about our Golden English Famous Five not so long ago and most extended contracts making our future so positive.

    Wilshire, oh dear, his annual injury poor lad

    Walcott, as above he gets 10 minutes here and there, and then not on right where we need him

    Ox, as above, adds pace and threat moving forward, but Ramsey gets nod

    Chambers, oh dear started so brightly, England callup, now nowhere near squad except for a double CB misfortune

    Gibbs, Gibbs? Good squad player it seems

    What a let-down.

    Oh and I forgot Welbeck. Never got injured at ManU, comes here and what happens?

    What has it all gone wrong?

  43. Hell Raising Devil says:

    so from what some of you point out about Theo…….that makes Danny Welbeck the first choice on the right. He tracks back, helps and keeps his position. Theo does not and the Oz sometimes fall asleep.

    That makes the wings as …….Sanches (Ollie) Danny
    with the following as subs……Ox (Giroud/Kokorin) Theo.

    so it seems that Danny and Alexis are AW’s first choice.

  44. rico says:

    Afternoon Andrew. I think the throttling him is the more likely answer..

    Lee, I bet we’ll hear a few though…

    Dublin, I’ve seen Theo defending in pre-season, honest… lol

    Devil, no idea… lol

    I’m off for a walk…

  45. andrewh1313 says:

    HRD, Chambers had ball at his feet, no-one near him and passed …. straight to the dippers. At least three times early on which didn’t help get any momentum. Guess that’s a language problem, LOL. We do have more sensible people on HH!!!

  46. Hell Raising Devil says:

    With regards the question you asked me this morning Tai….On Kokorin and Krychowiak I cannot answer that much on Kokorin. I have never seen him play.

    Krychowiak, I have seen many times and I like him. He is tenacious and knows how to pass the ball. He will be a great footballer imo. If we buy him I think we will have a Pirlo type player within the next 5 years. Hard, Aggressive but also a good passer. And he is intelligent….like Gabi.

  47. Rejoice says:

    The Sky Source-o-matic is in full flow again, and this time it has spat out a little chit that says Wolves have rejected a third bid of about £10million from Norwich for Benik Afobe.

    Here’s what Kenny Jackett said about that particular situation after Wolves beat Barnet 2-1 last night:

    He’s a Wolves player and when the window shuts he’ll still be a Wolves player. There is an enormous amount of speculation. But he won’t be leaving.

    “We’re looking at the whole picture, the amount of time left in the window, the overall prices, there’s so much to consider and everything points to Wolves not letting anybody go.”

  48. Rejoice says:

    DONE DEAL! Asier Illarramendi has returned to Real Sociedad, signing a six-year contract with his former club

  49. Rejoice says:

    Harry Redknapp has the inside track on what’s happening in the Saido Berahino deal:

    Everything’s probably all done with the player behind the scenes. He probably has a good idea about where he’s going to live, even.”

  50. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kokorin has a £13.8 million (Eur19mill) release clause..

    He is an unkown.

    He is an international.

    and does not cost much plus his wages are not sky high.

    Right up AW’s street imo.

  51. Rejoice says:

    Doesn’t look like Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak wants to go anywhere fast. Or anywhere at all, really. There’s been talk linking him to all sorts of clubs, notably Arsenal or Chelsea, but the Pole looks quite happy where he is…

  52. allezkev says:

    Champions League draw tomorrow from 4.45pm….

    Probably be a good hour of BS before the draw actually starts?

    Arsenal in Pot 2…

  53. rico says:

    Afternoon all…

    Had a lovely walk in the sunshine for an hour or so and thought we may have signed someone by the time I got back….

    Then it p****d down and back to earth I came…. 😉

    I bet Rosie knows more about transfers than Arry, after all, she did his accounts….

  54. joaquim Moreira says:

    today it’s an important day.
    1st scenario: If sporting will be off the Champions League (I really hope so!), then they must sell players. first in the queue: william Carvalho.Club: Arsenal. In that scenario, Sporting must sell him under his clause… maybe 20-25 millions. Very expensive in my opinion. Open door to flamini…….
    2st scenario: Sporting go through. Forget Carvalho. Probably Koskowiack.
    3st scenario: I don’t know the dynamo moscow player but maybe interesting. However, Russians players have always problems. Good performances in the first games and then their quality decrease a lot… (too much vodka??)
    4st scenario: Te right back in? Debuchy out?
    5st scenario: So, I think we will run for a DM a probably for a striker (winger). Everybody knows my preferences but I’m stiill waiting and see.
    I’m more concern in tomorrow CL draw and know our group then the totts game. We will find a team to go there …. not very confident to win, but if we have problems they also have too…

  55. rico says:

    Yes, annoying Bob! Mind you, was Wenger ever on the case?

    Saying that, could be a case of keeping in with the Sevilla fans before leaving…. Lol

  56. Malaga gooner says:

    Evening Rico and the house
    I think it’s time for s new manager, the constant playing players out of position and lack of transfers is down tp wenger, we need a coach not s manager that likes to play the role of a bank manager

    Nice post Rico

  57. Malaga gooner says:

    Also if we had s mamager like pep or Jurgen, they would not be happy if they had no transfers with 7 days left in the window
    Our targets should of been signed before the season started, pay the extra millions that’s what big clubs do

  58. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Shrek has scored

    I do not agree with you MG. why pay the extra millions?? why give the the other clubs knowledge on what you are going to do by getting the players too early??

    I do not agree with AW’s method however I feel that if the club is to wait a few days and save many millions than I feel its better.

    For example, Leverkusen are playing tonight. It seems AFC are watchng Bender. Do you honestly think that if they qualify that Bender would come unless AFC paid over the top for him….say above 30 million???? but if BL do not qualify AFC will get Bender for around 16mill mark.

    As JM said, if Sporting do not qualify, Carvalho’s price will drop. and it will be easier to get him. If AW is to get Carvalho now, do you honestly think he would have made a difference if he played in the first three games???

    Yes AW is a liar with a forked tongue, however, when it comes to money and club management I feel he has a little bit of knowledge.

  59. Micko says:

    You don’t have to be a genius to realise if we were in for Bender he wouldn’t have been selected to play in the qualifiers ! And all the best players are cup-tied in January as Arsene likes to remind us.

    rico, you didn’t happen to bump into a bloke with his head in the clouds this afternoon on your leisurely stroll did you ?

    Jm 5.43, scenario 3, that’ll be Wath Whodidyanickavodkaoff !

  60. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Sporting are 3-1 down.

    so that means that if things stay as they are they will be out. Sporting need another goal though.

    Micko, if the club plays in the qualifiers and is knocked out the players are not cup tied. BL are through, but if htey lost Bender could have played for another club in the CL.

  61. Micko says:

    ManUre through to the CL proper, that’s 21 million banked, can be sure they will strengthen now…hold on they already have, what’s our excuse !!!

    Cheers Devil, just don’t think they would have risked him for the amount of money involved, that’s me coming back at ya with a double bluff and shuffle, busted again lol.

  62. Joaquim Moreira says:

    They must sell players or strike oil!
    Forgot Bendtner… both…Leverkusen is now concern in Champions league.
    Sporting will try to sell Carvalho to Arsenal…. the media start to say that.
    I posted this yesterday: a interesting player for us (Pedro is out of my mind) is Marcial from Monaco. The media said today: Barcelona is interesting in him.
    However, don’t forget the players only are able to play in January.
    AW hasn’t good relations with Monaco? (Monaco is out of the Champions League too)

  63. scottfromoz says:

    Andrew, I wish we could fast forward a week or so.
    The TW pisses me off.
    I hate the fact people whinge when we “missed out” on a player we were never in for in the first place.
    I hate that people think transfers are merely a matter of saying we want a player, and will have him, without realising there’s a bit more to it.
    The rumours are annoying…….I’ll bet money we never even spoke to Real or Benzema, yet people around the world had him signed, sealed and delivered, and then we missed him because we didn’t offer enough.
    How about people criticising players are “linked to”.
    I mean, this Russian guy…..he’s already being criticised as not good enough, yet (a) we do not know we are even in for him and (b) I’ll bet hardly a Gooner in the world has even seen the guy play, or taken notice of him, if they did.
    The window turns fans feral, so yes, I wish it were over.

  64. Micko says:

    Jm, the best thing to come outta Monaco…….Emmanuel Petit, there’s me getting all nostalgic again.

  65. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott, I watch a lot of footy on the telly and the internet. And as i said earlier today….I cannot say anything about Kokorin since I have never seen him play. And that is from someone who hugs the internet on football players. Kev can testify to that as usually I mention players who are still young. sometimes I even see 17/18/19 year olds play and can say that that player will make it or will not make it.

    Kokorin I have never seen. And as you said…..I presume no one in Goonerdom has ever seen him play. so since he does not play for RM, Barca etc he is not a good player. Paulista never played for them. yet I feel that in a year’s time his name will be associated with those clubs especially if he cements his place in the Arsenal side.

  66. Hell Raising Devil says:

    knowing AW he will go to Monaco, buy Layvin Kurzawa, put him as right back and push Bellerin as a right winger. Theo will be the CF with Ollie and that is problem solved.

    Petit???? nostalgic???? Oh God. I wish he was still playing today. The little prince is named after him.

  67. rico says:

    No Micko, but I saw a guy with his head stuck up his butt… His name was Arse…….

    £10m for CL proper I heard today, not that I’m trying to be smart of course…

    Ok, night night… ?

  68. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, I’d like to hear from anyone who has seen him, and has noticed him BEFORE the link to us.
    Reckon anyone wil ‘fess up??
    Gabriel…well, I said last year he’d end up a super player for us, based on the small amount of time he spent in the pitch for us.
    Of course I want to us to buy a player or two, but what happens amongst fans in the interim frustrates the hell out of me…..and I do understand where the fans frustration comes from, believe me.

  69. Micko says:

    Scott 9.53, similiarly I hate it when Arsene tells us we nearly signed Ronaldo, Messi, Yaya, Hazard, blah blah blah blah and countless others, you say feral I say rabid if it all goes skew whiff !!!

    rico, your getting as tight as Arsene, he wakes up in the night to check he hasn’t lost any sleep, get back to your bunk lol, nite matey.

  70. Wavy says:

    I thought the best thing to come out of Monaco was, the road to Nice or if you are of the other ‘bent’, Ventemiliglia!

    Sorry I arrived so late, had to go to Luton Airport. Dad’s taxi, sorry did you out of a fare Kev!
    Nite all

  71. Lee says:

    But the bullshit Arsene spouts about only adding “super” quality that will improve the team. This Russian player is hardly ripping it up in the Russian league…..

  72. Adam says:

    Hi Rico. My enthusiasm for the new season, taking everything into consideration, was high. This is THE season for me. But that slowly began dissolving into disillusion when I realised that it wasn’t the same for Arsene. Now, with only a few days left to strengthen, that has slowly dissolved into apathy. Another couple of poor results and a dismal end to the window and I can see a trying time ahead at the home games.

  73. rico says:

    I can see troubled times home and away if things carry on the way they are and no players signed by 2nd Sept…

    To be honest, I expected a big summer but deep down, I think I knew it would be more of the same from AW..

    I do hope IG isn’t serious about extending Wenger’s contract…

  74. Adam says:

    i agree Rico. As ever, the results will out in the end although I think the board would not relish change. It’s all got a bit Putin-esque except with Arsene there is a lot of residual affection still clinging to him. One does wonder if the board or IG or Syrup ever make any demands or set performance targets for him though. Probably not.
    Should we not be in for Stones or de Bruyne? Just a thought. 🙂

  75. rico says:

    I doubt they do either Adam which I why I always portion a lot of blame to the owner/board. If they had a bit more go in them, we wouldn’t be in this situation but they are clearly quite happy to accept the way AW conducts himself during a transfer window.

    I like both players but the cost is staggering… 😉

  76. Adam says:

    Again, I agree about the cost Rico but that’s the market at the moment and if Arsenal were trying to sell either of them they would squeeze it too. I remember when Man U bought Rio. Wasn’t it £30 million at a time when £10 million was a very decent fee. I think Stones might be another one like him. You could have a player like that for 10 years if he fulfills his potential and then the cost won’t seem that bad. As I mentioned the other day, Aguero was a lot but it seems reasonable now. It’s all a matter of intent and ambition too and showing your own fans that you mean business. From what I have seen so far this season, little has changed in the set-up or the tactics. I don’t say spend for the sake of it but when a top player becomes available, why shouldn’t Arsenal be in for them?
    Idle thoughts for a groggy morning from me.

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